If you’ve spent any time falling down the true crime rabbit hole, the name Dinh Bowman probably gives you the chills. It’s the "thrill killer" case that rocked Seattle. A brilliant engineer—a literal child prodigy—who decided to see what it felt like to kill a stranger at a red light.
People are constantly asking about the Dinh Bowman release date because, frankly, the idea of him walking the streets again is unsettling.
The short version? He isn't going anywhere soon. But let’s get into the weeds of the timeline, because prison math is never as simple as it looks on a court document.
The Sentence: 350 Months of Reality
Back in January 2015, a judge handed down a sentence of 350 months. If you’re doing the quick math in your head, that’s roughly 29 years and two months.
Bowman was 32 when he was sentenced.
The crime itself happened in August 2012. Yancy Noll, a well-liked wine steward, was just sitting in his Subaru at a stoplight in the Roosevelt neighborhood. Bowman pulled up in his silver BMW Z4 and opened fire. No motive. No prior connection. Just a "student of murder" putting his research into practice.
Because Bowman was convicted of first-degree murder, the sentencing guidelines were strict. In Washington state, you don't just get a slap on the wrist for premeditated "thrill killing."
Why the release date isn't exactly 2044
If you add 29 years to 2015, you get 2044. However, that’s not quite how the Department of Corrections (DOC) works.
Washington state allows for something called "earned time." Essentially, if a prisoner stays out of trouble, follows the rules, and participates in programs, they can get a percentage of their sentence shaved off.
For serious violent offenses like first-degree murder, the maximum "good time" credit is typically 10%.
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- Total Sentence: 350 months
- Potential Credit (10%): 35 months
- Likely Time Served: ~315 months (about 26 years)
If you factor in the time he spent in King County Jail awaiting trial (he was arrested in September 2012), his clock started ticking much earlier than his sentencing date.
Calculating the Dinh Bowman Release Date
Taking into account his arrest date and the standard 10% reduction for good behavior, the estimated Dinh Bowman release date falls somewhere around 2038 or 2039.
He will be in his late 50s.
It’s worth noting that Bowman hasn't exactly been a quiet prisoner. He’s spent years filing appeals. As recently as May 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was still dealing with his petitions. He’s tried to argue everything from ineffective counsel to issues with juror selection.
Every single time, the courts have looked at the evidence—the dismantled gun parts, the replaced tires, the "how-to" manuals on his computer—and said, "No."
The conviction stands. The 29-year clock keeps running.
Where is Dinh Bowman now?
Currently, Thomasdinh "Dinh" Bowman is serving his time within the Washington State Department of Corrections system. Most records point to him being housed at the Clallam Bay Corrections Center or similar close-custody facilities over the years. These are high-security spots. Not exactly a country club.
His life is a far cry from the "Vague Industries" robotics shop he used to run or the international trips he took with his then-wife.
Speaking of his wife, Jennifer, she divorced him about a year after he was sentenced. She’s moved on. The world has moved on. But for the friends and family of Yancy Noll, the "release date" is a looming shadow.
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What most people get wrong about his parole
I see this a lot on forums: "Will he get out on parole early?"
Washington state technically abolished parole for most crimes committed after 1984. We use a "determinate" sentencing system. That means when the judge says 29 years, you’re doing the vast majority of those 29 years. There is no parole board that is going to let him out in five years because he’s a "changed man."
The only real "early" out is that 10% good time credit we talked about. Unless his conviction is overturned on an appeal (which looks increasingly impossible given the 2024 rulings), he is a ward of the state for the next decade-plus.
Actionable Insights and Next Steps
If you are following this case for safety reasons or out of personal interest in the Yancy Noll legacy, here is what you can actually do:
- Monitor the VINELink System: This is the most reliable way to track an inmate's status. You can sign up for notifications through the Washington Department of Corrections using his DOC number (381345). It will alert you if his custody status changes or if he is moved.
- Read the Court Transcripts: If you want to understand why the Dinh Bowman release date is so far off, look up the 2017 Washington Court of Appeals opinion (State v. Bowman). It details the chilling evidence that convinced the jury this wasn't road rage, but a cold-blooded execution.
- Support Victim Advocacy: The tragedy of Yancy Noll led to a massive outpouring of support for road safety and victim rights in Seattle. Organizations like Families & Friends of Violent Crime Victims (now part of Victim Support Services) are great places to direct energy if this case moves you.
Dinh Bowman tried to gamify murder. He thought he was the smartest person in the room. Now, he's just another number in a cell, waiting for a date in the late 2030s that still feels way too soon for those who loved Yancy Noll.