Suspect in killings of five people near Forest Grove, Oregon found dead in Washington

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (KGW) — According to our Portland affiliate KGW, a suspect in the killings of five people outside Forest Grove was found dead inside a vehicle in Enumclaw, Washington, authorities said Sunday evening.

The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker, died by an apparent suicide, Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said.

Detectives identified Parker as a suspect in the case and determined he was in Enumclaw, about 50 miles southeast of Seattle. Officers with the Enumclaw Police Department found Parker's vehicle behind a Safeway store and discovered him dead inside.

Investigators do not believe there is a threat to the public, Massey said.

"We do not believe there's a risk to the community," Massey said. "This was our suspect and he died in Enumclaw, Washington."

Massey said investigators are still working to determine a motive. She said Parker was known to the victims, but authorities have not determined the exact nature of their relationship.

Investigators also have not released details about how they connected Parker to the crime scene.

Five people and multiple domesticated animals were found dead in a rural area outside Forest Grove after authorities responded to a vehicle fire early Saturday morning.

Washington County Detective Shannon Wilde said Sunday afternoon that the case is being investigated as a "quintuple homicide" and that investigators are treating the five deaths as murders. Investigators do not believe the killings were random.

Sheriff Caprice Massey described the case as a complex investigation involving a large scene and numerous law enforcement agencies.

"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," Massey said. "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."

Deputies were called at about 5:27 a.m. Saturday to assist the Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, which was responding to a vehicle fire at 47350 Northwest Otis Lane outside of Forest Grove, near Hillside Road. Firefighters discovered human remains and called law enforcement. Investigators later determined that five people and multiple domesticated animals had died.

Credit: Dan Erusha

Law enforcement found five dead bodies in a rural area on Northwest Otis Lane outside Forest Grove, Ore. on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.

Wilde would not say how many animals were found or what type of animals they were.

The identities of the five people had not been released Sunday evening. Massey said investigators are still working to identify the victims and notify their families before releasing their names.

Authorities also have not confirmed whether the victims lived at the property. Investigators said there was information indicating Parker may have been connected to the property, but they were still working to confirm those details.

Investigators have not released details about the crime scene, including whether the victims were found together or separately, where the bodies were located or when the deaths occurred.

Authorities also would not provide more details about the vehicle fire, including what was burning or the extent of the fire.

Wilde said authorities waited more than 24 hours to provide additional information because they wanted to ensure they had accurate information to release while also working to identify the victims and notify their next of kin.

Authorities said they are not aware of any additional victims at this time.

The incident caught the attention of Oregon governor Tina Kotek. In a statement on social media, the governor said in part, "Whatever the circumstances, let's keep the family and friends of the victims in our hearts and prayers."

The sheriff said investigators want to talk to anyone who has information about the residence or the people who live there.

"There are no details too small," Massey said.

Anyone with information can contact the WCSO non-emergency line at 503-629-0111 and reference case No. 50-26-11866.

Agencies that assisted during the investigation include the Forest Grove Fire Department; Forest Grove Police Department; Beaverton Police Department; Cornelius Police Department; Hillsboro Police Department; Tigard Police Department; Oregon State Police Crime Lab; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Washington County Animal Services; Washington Medical Examiner's Office; Washington County Digital Forensics Lab; and American Medical Response.