FOREST GROVE, Ore. (Aug. 24, 2026) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has identified a 36-year-old man as the suspect in a homicide investigation involving five people found dead Saturday at a rural property outside Forest Grove.
Detectives identified the suspect as Benjamin Charles Parker during their investigation into the deaths.
Investigators determined Parker was believed to be in Enumclaw, Washington. Officers with the Enumclaw Police Department later located Parker’s vehicle and found him deceased inside. Authorities believe Parker died by suicide.
The Sheriff’s Office said it does not believe there is any danger to the public.
The investigation began at about 5:27 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, when Washington County sheriff’s deputies responded to the property to assist the Forest Grove Fire Department with a reported vehicle fire.
Firefighters arriving at the scene discovered human remains and requested sheriff’s deputies. Responders subsequently located a total of five people who were deceased, along with several domestic animals.
The deaths are being investigated as homicides. Detectives with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Washington County Major Crimes Team, are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings.
The Major Crimes Team is an interagency group made up of detectives from law enforcement agencies throughout Washington County.
The Oregon State Police Crime Lab responded to process the scene, along with Washington County sheriff’s forensic and property and evidence personnel.
The investigation has also been supported by the Sheriff’s Office Remotely Operated Vehicle Team, Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team, Search and Rescue and Tactical Negotiations Team.
Authorities have not released the identities of the five victims or additional details about how they died.
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