Police investigating the deaths of five people and several domestic animals on a rural property outside Portland, Oregon, have identified a suspect in the case. Authorities confirmed Sunday that Benjamin Charles Parker, 36, was found dead in his vehicle in Enumclaw, Washington, in what is believed to be a suicide.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Parker was identified as the suspect in the quintuple homicide investigation. Officials initially responded Saturday morning to a 911 call reporting a vehicle fire in unincorporated Washington County, outside Forest Grove. Upon arrival, responders discovered the bodies of five people and several domestic animals at the scene.
Detective Shannon Wilde of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office stated at a news conference Sunday that the investigation remains active, with authorities working to identify the victims and notify next of kin. Sheriff Caprice Massey described the scene as “one of the most complex” she had encountered in her 22 years with the department.
Massey noted that detectives do not believe the killings were random, adding that Parker was “known to the subjects.” The sheriff’s office did not disclose the ages, genders, or identities of the victims, nor the manner of their deaths. The type of animals found at the scene was also not specified.
Authorities emphasized that there is no continued threat to the public and urged anyone with information about the property or individuals involved to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deaths.