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Fire Leads to Quintuple Homicide
Authorities investigated the deaths of five people and several domestic animals after an early morning fire on a rural Oregon property near Forest Grove, with Washington County deputies responding at 5:27 a.m. Saturday to assist the Forest Grove Fire Department.
“This is being investigated as a quintuple homicide”
Investigators found human remains at the scene and later discovered five dead people, and Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said, "In my 22 years here, I have not been a part of or witnessed a scene quite this complex."
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the case is being investigated as a quintuple homicide, and a spokesperson told reporters, "This is being investigated as a quintuple homicide," confirming investigators do not believe it was a random act.
NBC News reported that the suspect, identified as Benjamin Charles Parker, 36, was found dead Sunday and that officers from the Enumclaw Police Department located Parker’s vehicle and found him deceased inside.
Suspect Found Dead in Enumclaw
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker and said officers with the Enumclaw Police Department found Parker dead inside his vehicle behind a Safeway in Enumclaw, Washington.
Sheriff Caprice Massey said, "We do not believe there is a risk to the community," and added, "This was our suspect, and he died in Enumclaw, Washington."
Detectives said Parker was known to the five people, while investigators continued working to determine a motive and the victims’ identities, which were not publicly confirmed.
KOIN reported that Deputy Shannon Wilde emphasized investigators still believed the killings were not random, saying, "I do want to emphasize, we do not believe this is a random act," and that no one was in custody in connection with the case.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Calls
Investigators kept the case active after the fire response began with a reported vehicle fire at 47350 NW Otis Lane in unincorporated Washington County outside Forest Grove, where firefighters discovered human remains and called law enforcement.
“There is someone that we don't have in custody that committed this act”
Washington County Sheriff’s Office officials said the investigation remains ongoing and asked for tips, urging anyone familiar with the residence, its occupants, or their associates to call the Washington County non-emergency dispatch line at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-11866.
KATU reported that Detective Shannon Wilde said the sheriff’s office will not reveal more information about the animals found dead at this point, and that there remains heavy law enforcement presence in the area.
Oregon Public Broadcasting said the Washington County Major Crimes Team is assisting and quoted Detective Shannon Wilde describing the scene as "It’s a large scene. It’s a complex investigation, and there are many people involved in this investigation."