The Washington County Sheriff's Office on Monday, Aug. 24, identified the five people killed in a quintuple homicide near Forest Grove and confirmed that the suspect, 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker, was found dead in Enumclaw, Washington. Investigators believe he died by suicide.
Parker lived at the property at 47350 NW Otis Lane with his girlfriend, Stella Jade Kimsey, 26, one of the five victims. The sheriff's office does not believe there is any ongoing danger to the public.
As we reported Monday, Sheriff Caprice Massey announced Parker's death at a 6:30 p.m. press conference Sunday, Aug. 23, after Enumclaw police located his vehicle and found him deceased inside.
The victims
The sheriff's office identified the five victims in a media release Monday:
- Mary Elizabeth Kimsey, 85, of Portland
- Rowan Karla Kimsey, 60, of Forest Grove
- Stella Jade Kimsey, 26, of Forest Grove
- Linsey Mae Haraldsen, 26, of Portland
- Alvin Raymond Chu, 27, of Portland
Mary Kimsey was Rowan's mother and Stella's grandmother. Rowan owned and lived at the property. Linsey Haraldsen was Stella's best friend, and Alvin Chu was Linsey's partner.
How the investigation unfolded
Deputies responded to the property at 5:27 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, after a 911 caller reported a vehicle fire. Forest Grove Fire Department personnel discovered human remains and requested law enforcement.
Sheriff's detectives tracked Parker to Enumclaw. According to KIRO 7, Enumclaw police used Flock license plate reading cameras and cell phone data to locate his vehicle, then approached over approximately 30 minutes with weapons drawn and riot shields while deploying a drone.
"Detectives do not believe there is a danger to the public, and I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Enumclaw Police Department," Massey said at the Sunday, Aug. 23, press conference, as reported by the Beaverton Valley Times.
Massey confirmed Parker was known to the victims but did not disclose a motive. Detectives do not believe the killings were random.
Two cats and two dogs on the property were also found dead. A third cat was transported to a veterinarian but was later euthanized due to the severity of its injuries. Livestock have been rehomed.
More than a dozen agencies are supporting the investigation, including the Washington County Major Crimes Team, Oregon State Police Crime Lab and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The sheriff's office scheduled an additional press conference for Tuesday, Aug. 25, at its headquarters at 215 SW Adams Ave. in Hillsboro.
Anyone with information about the residents of the property or their associates is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-11866.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
