A man accused of fatally shooting five people in a rural community west of Portland, Oregon, was found dead Sunday inside a vehicle in Enumclaw, Washington, in what authorities described as an apparent suicide.
Investigators identified the suspect as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker after five bodies were discovered Saturday at a home near Forest Grove, a small rural area about 25 miles west of Portland.
“Through their investigation, they believed that Parker was in Enumclaw, WA. Officers from the Enumclaw Police Department located Parker’s vehicle and found him deceased inside. It is believed he died by suicide,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Enumclaw police said an unidentified person was found dead behind a Safeway grocery store as part of the investigation tied to the Forest Grove killings.
Sheriff Caprice Massey asked anyone familiar with the property or the people who lived there to come forward with information that could assist investigators. (KPTV)
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said officials are not aware of any ongoing threat to the public.
Authorities have not explained what led detectives to Parker or how he may have been connected to the victims. Investigators have said they do not believe the slayings were random, but they have not released details about a possible motive or Parker’s alleged relationship to those killed.
The sheriff’s office previously said deputies were called to the Forest Grove property early Saturday for reports of a vehicle fire. At the scene, they found the remains of five people along with “several domestic animals.”
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.
