Parker, Forest Grove, Oregon: Suspect in five deaths found dead in Washington

Benjamin Charles Parker, 36, was identified by authorities as the suspect in the deaths of five people found at a rural property outside Forest Grove, Oregon. One day after the bodies were discovered, Parker was found dead inside a vehicle in Enumclaw, Washington. Authorities believe he died by suicide.

The case began early Saturday, August 22, when deputies responded to a report of a vehicle fire at a rural property on Northwest Otis Lane, outside Forest Grove. Firefighters who arrived at the scene found human remains and called in the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators later confirmed that five people had been killed. Several domesticated animals were also found dead at the property. Authorities have not released the victims’ names, ages, genders or causes of death as investigators work to piece together what happened.

Detectives identified Parker as the suspect during their investigation. Authorities said they did not believe the killings were random. They also said Parker was known to the victims, but the exact nature of those relationships and a possible motive had not been established.

Investigators then determined that Parker was in Enumclaw, Washington, roughly 200 miles from the Oregon property. Enumclaw officers located his vehicle behind a Safeway store and found Parker dead inside.

The circumstances surrounding Parker’s death are being treated as an apparent suicide. His death means investigators will now have to rely heavily on physical evidence, records and interviews to answer the remaining questions about the five deaths.

The investigation remains open, and authorities have said there is no ongoing danger to the public. The rural location and the number of victims have made the case unusually difficult for investigators, who are still working to establish exactly what happened at the property and why.

For now, five people are dead, the suspect authorities identified is also dead, and many of the most important details remain unknown. Investigators are still working to identify the victims, determine their relationships with Parker and establish what led to the killings.