An investigation into a suspected quintuple homicide has one sheriff describing the crime scene as one of the most “complex” she’s ever seen.
First responders answered a call Saturday morning about a vehicle fire at a rural property outside of Portland, Oregon, where they also discovered five human bodies.
‘Any time you have one person deceased, let alone five, that’s a logistical challenge.’
The fire personnel who were first on the scene in the 47300 block of NW Otis Lane near Forest Grove soon called deputies.
Investigators later discovered the remains of “several domestic animals,” according to a Washington County Sheriff’s Office news release; no details have been disclosed regarding the identities of the human bodies.
“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,” Sheriff Caprice Massey said, according to the Associated Press.
According to CBS News, the investigation into determining the identities of the five victims was ongoing as of Sunday afternoon.
In a news conference, sheriff’s Detective Shannon Wilde reportedly said, “Any time you have one person deceased, let alone five, that’s a logistical challenge.”
From the first update, detectives said they believed this case was not a “random act of violence.”
Authorities provided an update Sunday saying they had located and identified a suspect in connection with the killings.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker as the homicide suspect in this case.
Parker was found dead in a car in Enumclaw, Washington, which is roughly 200 miles north of the crime scene.
KOIN-TV reported that the car containing Parker’s body was found behind a Safeway grocery store.
His death is believed to be a suicide.
A Washington County Sheriff’s Office representative on Monday told Blaze News they are not releasing more information on the case until next of kin are notified.
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Suicide, Suspect, Oregon, Homicide, Washington state, Bodies, Crime
