Everett home invasion victim identified as photo studio owner
EVERETT — Irah Sok held up the keys to his new photography studio and snapped a photo last January.
“Someone come pinch me cause this doesn’t seem real,” she wrote in the caption of a photo she took of herself smiling across from Mill Creek Mall.
Gold, black and white balloons adorned the interior during the inauguration of Irah Sok Images. Family and friends drank champagne and ate appetizers.
On Friday morning, the photographer was mysteriously shot dead in her south Everett home. No one had been arrested in the apparent home invasion this week.
A candlelight vigil will be held Saturday at 8 p.m. at Sok’s Old Photo Studio, 1700 132nd St SE Suite G in Mill Creek.
The news of Sok’s death inspired a public outpouring of grief.
“I learned that the most beautiful photographer Irah Sok Images had obtained her access to paradise”, a former client wrote. “Thank you for these memories. Sending love and light to your family.
Makara Sok, the murdered woman’s husband, also spoke to a KIRO 7 reporter this week.
“Amazing mother, incredible wife,” he said. “I love her to death. I wish she was still here with me right now.
Police were called around 3 a.m. Aug. 19 to report the shooting in the 2600 block of SE 96th Street, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly after the shooting, three intruders left the home, sheriff’s spokeswoman Courtney O’Keefe said. It appears that there was no struggle before or after the shots were fired.
The husband and child at home were reportedly uninjured.
As of Tuesday, no motive for the murder had been determined. Detectives had released no leads in the case.
Irah Sok, 36, died of a single gunshot wound, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Tuesday. His way of dying was homicide.
“Many know Irah as an incredibly talented photographer,” read one obituary. “She specializes in maternity and newborn photography, capturing the love and joy of motherhood, new life and family for her clients. In September 2019, Irah converted her garage into a studio from home, allowing him to develop his craft even further. In January 2022, Irah realized his dream of opening his studio. …His photography has impacted so many in our community and we will forever cherish the memories he she left us.
Among the photo studio’s recent clients was Seahawks cornerback Sidney Jones and partner Cydney. Many of his portrait subjects were women of color and their babies.
The Soks met through the Boeing Company, KIRO 7 reported. Makara Sok is Cambodian-American and Irah Sok is from the Philippines.
“She’s hilarious, you know,” slain woman’s cousin Aileen LaPuz told Seattle TV. “She’s…full of life, full of dreams.” She is very nice. She has no hatred in her heart.
In a fundraising onlinerelatives have asked for donations to support his family.
Detectives asked anyone with information about the shooting to call 911. Specifically, the sheriff’s office asked neighbors to check their cameras for any activity around 3 a.m. that morning.
The sheriff’s office declined to release updates on the case on Tuesday except that it was an active investigation.
Herald reporter Jake Goldstein-Street contributed to this report.
Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; [email protected]; Twitter: @reporterellen.
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