Suspect in Oregon Quintuple Homicide Dies by Suicide in Washington

A man suspected of murdering five people at a rural property near Forest Grove, Oregon, was found dead of an apparent suicide in Washington state on August 23, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies identified the suspect as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker. Enumclaw Police Department officers located Parker deceased inside his vehicle parked behind a Safeway grocery store in Enumclaw, Washington, following a multi-agency search.

Emergency responders originally uncovered the crime scene at 47350 Northwest Otis Lane at approximately 5:30 a.m. on August 22. Firefighters responding to a reported vehicle fire observed suspicious circumstances, discovered human remains, and promptly alerted law enforcement.

Investigators subsequently found the bodies of five people and several dead domestic animals across the heavily vegetated property. Officials stated the victims knew Parker and emphasized that the killings were not a random act of violence.

Authorities have not yet released the identities, ages, or genders of the victims, nor the cause of death, pending full identification and notification of next of kin. Multiple local, state, and federal agencies, including the ATF and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, are assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Detective Shannon Wilde of the Washington County Sheriff's Office addressed reporters regarding the initial delay in public updates following the discovery of the scene.

"Any time you have one person deceased, let alone five, that's a logistical challenge," said Wilde, Detective with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators noted that securing the expansive rural crime scene and identifying the victims contributed to the timing of their public announcements.

"This is a very complex investigation. The number of personnel we had, and the activeness of it once we determined the severity of what happened," said Wilde, Detective with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives confirmed there is no remaining threat to the public following Parker's death.

"We do have a deceased victim here. We are going to need law enforcement," said a firefighter, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.

Fire crews pulled back immediately upon realizing the nature of the scene to allow deputies to secure the area.

"We need a police unit, or a sheriff’s office unit code 3 at the scene. Just in case, we have two victims here," said a firefighter, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.

Responders noted the unusual circumstances surrounding the burned vehicle prior to law enforcement's arrival.

"This is some suspicious circumstances certainly. So we’re going to take our hoses and get out of here, and let the sheriff’s office clear this," said a firefighter, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue.

Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey highlighted the unusual nature of the homicide during a news conference.

"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. And I'm just going to lead in and say that I recognize that this incident is deeply concerning to our community. Our investigators are working to determine what happened, and we have dedicated every available resource to this case," said Caprice Massey, Sheriff, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Massey urged anyone with background information on the victims or the property to contact law enforcement dispatch.

"I want to make it clear, investigators would love to talk with anyone familiar with this residence or the people that live there. There are no details too small," said Caprice Massey, Sheriff, Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Officials requested that anyone with information reference case number 50-26-11866 when calling dispatch.