Suspect in Oregon quintuple homicide found dead in Enumclaw, WA
Suspect in Oregon quintuple homicide found dead in WA
A multi-agency manhunt for an Oregon murder suspect ended in Enumclaw, Washington, following the gruesome discovery of five burned bodies at a Forest Grove property over the weekend.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. - A multi-agency manhunt for an Oregon murder suspect ended in Enumclaw, Washington, following the gruesome discovery of five burned bodies at a Forest Grove property over the weekend.
Five bodies found inside vehicle fire in Forest Grove, Oregon
The backstory:
On Saturday, Aug. 22, at about 5:27 a.m., deputies with the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to assist firefighters who had responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle fire in Forest Grove, Oregon.
The Forest Grove Fire Department discovered the bodies of five people and several domestic animals inside the burned vehicle located at 47350 NW Otis Lane, a rural area in unincorporated Washington County.
Detectives and the Washington County Major Crimes Team are leading the investigation, while the Oregon State Police Crime Lab Forensics team processed the scene. Investigators do not believe this was a random act of violence.
"I will say in my 22 years here, I have not been a part of or witnessed a scene quite this complex involving this type of an investigation," said Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey.
Suspect in 5-body Oregon homicide found dead in WA
What we know:
On Sunday, detectives identified the suspect as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker. Through the investigation, detectives determined he was in Enumclaw, Washington.
Officers with the Enumclaw Police Department located Parker dead inside his vehicle from an apparent suicide.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office does not believe there is any danger to the public.
The Enumclaw, Washington, location where officers found the suspect, 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker.
What we don't know:
The investigation remains ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available. It is unclear how the suspect is connected to the victims or Enumclaw. The victims have not yet been identified.
Forest Grove Fire and Rescue posted a statement on Facebook on Monday morning:
What they're saying:
"Tragedies like our community experienced over the weekend are incredibly sad, while also being so hard on our hearts and souls. Even though many of you did not know the vibrant lives so needlessly lost, some of you most certainly did. While others still undoubtedly moved past them in a local grocery store, restaurant, or our otherwise normal day to day lives. These were our friends, and our neighbors, and they too called this beautiful place home.
"None of us can change what happened, but all of us have the power to make today, tomorrow, and a lifetime worth of moments better. Choosing love, patience, grace, and peace in our interactions with others is all that we can do to bring some brightness after such dark events. We hope all of you can find a way to make someone else’s life better this week, and also connect with those who matter most to you too.
"On behalf of our firefighters, we mourn the loss of those lives that were taken this weekend, and we hold their loved ones in our own hearts during this unthinkable time."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information for this story comes from multiple press releases issued by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Oregon.
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