Lou Ellen "Lulu" Couch, a remarkable individual, was born in 1963. Growing up in the projects of South Seattle, Washington, she shared her childhood with her siblings, including her youngest biracial brother Frankie. Lou Ellen, a complex and multifaceted personality, embodied both toughness and vulnerability, presenting herself as a butch, tender, and caring tomboy lesbian.
Throughout her life, she took on a mentorship role, serving as a protector and guide to numerous teenage runaways who found themselves struggling on the harsh streets of Seattle. Her selfless nature and unwavering compassion earned her a special place in the hearts of those she touched.
Lou Ellen's remarkable story was immortalized in the acclaimed documentary Streetwise, as well as in the book Street Child: A Memoir by Justin Reed Early, who had a personal connection to her through his experiences as a homeless youth. Moreover, she served as the inspiration for the character of Bullet in the TV series The Killing.
Tragically, Lou Ellen's life was cut short on December 12, 1985, when she was fatally stabbed in the heart during a fight with a homeless man in an arcade in downtown Seattle. Her passing at the tender age of twenty-two sent shockwaves through the community, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and educate to this day.
