Authorities have confirmed the death of a man suspected of a gruesome killing spree that left five people dead in a rural region near Portland, Oregon. The suspect, found in Enumclaw, Washington, appeared to have died from suicide inside a vehicle, as reported on Sunday.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker, was linked to the horrific event after the discovery of five bodies on Saturday. The massacre took place in a home nestled in a rural community close to Forest Grove, Oregon, situated roughly 25 miles from Portland.
Investigators traced Parker to Enumclaw, Washington, where officers from the Enumclaw Police Department located his vehicle. Inside, they found Parker deceased, with evidence pointing towards suicide, according to a statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
In connection with the investigation stemming from Forest Grove, the Enumclaw Police Department discovered an unidentified deceased individual behind a Safeway grocery store.
Sheriff Caprice Massey has made a public plea for information, encouraging anyone familiar with the rural property or its residents to come forward with details that could aid the investigation. (KPTV)
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said there is no known threat to the public.
It is unclear how investigators were led to Parker or what connection he had to the victims. Detectives have said they do not believe the killings were random, but authorities have not publicly described Parker’s alleged connection to the victims or a possible motive.
The sheriff’s office previously said it responded early Saturday to reports of a vehicle fire at a property in Forest Grove, where the remains of five people and “several domestic animals” were discovered.
Authorities have not released the ages or genders of the victims, how they died or what possible connections they might have with one another. The type of animals found dead at the property was also not disclosed.
Detective Shannon Wilde from the sheriff’s office said investigators were still working to determine the victims’ identities. (KPTV)
Detective Shannon Wilde from the sheriff’s office said investigators were still working to determine the victims’ identities.
“Any time you have one person deceased, let alone five, that’s a logistical challenge,” Wilde said, emphasizing the complexity of the investigation and the large crime scene.
Sheriff Caprice Massey encouraged anyone who is familiar with the property or the people who live there to contact authorities with any information they may have.
Authorities said there is no known threat to the public. (Washington County Sheriff’s Office)
“I will say that 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,” she said.
A dozen law enforcement agencies assisted in the investigation.
Authorities are continuing to investigate.