5 Victims in Ore. Mass Killing, Including Suspect’s Girlfriend and Her Best Friend, Found with Gunshot Wounds: Police

On August 22, 2026, a tragic incident unfolded in rural Oregon, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, all of whom were discovered with gunshot wounds. The victims, identified as 85-year-old Mary Elizabeth Kimsey, her daughter Rowan Karla Kimsey, aged 60, and Rowan’s daughter Stella Jade Kimsey, aged 26, all shared a family connection. Stella’s best friend Linsey Mae Haraldsen, 26, and Linsey’s boyfriend Alvin Raymond Chu, 27, were also among those killed. The grisly scene was located approximately 25 miles west of Portland.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, all five victims were found at the property where Stella lived with her boyfriend, Benjamin Charles Parker, who has been named the prime suspect in the killings. Parker, 36, was discovered deceased in his vehicle the following day, having sustained a gunshot wound to the head. His body was located outside a Safeway store in Enumclaw, Washington, roughly 200 miles away from the crime scene.

At a press conference held on August 25, Detective Mark Povolny detailed the circumstances surrounding the horrific event. He confirmed that Mary, Rowan, Stella, and Linsey had each suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victims’ bodies were found both inside and outside vehicles on the property, while evidence indicated that a .22-calibre firearm had been used in the attack, with a number of shell casings located nearby.

In addition to the fatal shootings, Parker allegedly set fires at the scene. It has been reported that he ignited one vehicle and attempted to torch both the main home and a carport, although these efforts were unsuccessful. Disturbingly, police revealed that several domestic animals found on the property had also been shot, including two dogs and two cats, while a fifth cat later had to be euthanised due to serious injuries.

The tragic discovery was made when the Forest Grove Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a vehicle fire at the property, prompting an investigation that quickly escalated into a homicide inquiry after responders uncovered human remains. As authorities began preparations to file murder charges against Parker, his mother informed them that he had confessed his actions to her the night before his death, declaring that the killings were premeditated.

Detective Povolny shared that Parker admitted he intended to kill three individuals but claimed two additional victims were added to his plan. “He confessed to killing the animals, setting the fires, and trying to burn the property down,” Povolny said. Despite these confessions, Parker did not disclose a motive for the tragic events.

Following the incident, Sheriff Caprice Massey addressed the media, emphasising that the investigation would continue despite the suspect’s death. “Our commitment now is to provide the families of Mary, Rowan, Stella, Linsey and Alvin with answers as we learn them. They deserve nothing less,” he stated.

In a subsequent Facebook post, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office described the incident as “domestic violence-related”, and highlighted the pervasive issue of violence within households. District Attorney Kevin Barton remarked on the national concern surrounding domestic violence, stressing the importance of addressing such tragedies.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to piece together the events leading up to this catastrophic occurrence. Community members are left grappling with the shock and sorrow of the lives lost, and are yearning for answers regarding the motives behind this unimaginable tragedy.

Support for those affected by similar situations is vital, and individuals experiencing domestic violence are encouraged to reach out to resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, available 24/7 and offering confidential assistance.

As the families of the victims navigate their profound loss, the broader community is reminded of the pressing need to address the issues of domestic violence and to seek proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from reoccurring.