Family of slain Portland hiker settles lawsuit against alleged gunman
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The family of a Portland hiker and his dog who were shot and killed while camping in a remote part of Washington in 2022 has settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the alleged gunman and his father.

Aron Christensen and his puppy were found dead in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Aug. 18, 2022.

Ethan Asbach, who was 19 at the time of the incident, told Lewis County deputies he shot Aron and his puppy, Buzzo, mistaking Aron for a wild animal. The gun was given to Ethan illegally by his father, Michael Asbach.

Still, authorities never pressed charges, citing a lack of evidence.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims a Lewis County deputy disregarded orders to not move the body and exposed evidence to cross-contamination.

The Christensen family filed a $3 million lawsuit against the Asbachs, but the terms of the settlement haven’t been made public.

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