OREGON KILLING SUSPECT FOUND DEAD IN WASHINGTON STATE

A man suspected of killing five people at a rural property in Oregon was found dead in a vehicle in Washington state on Sunday, authorities said. Benjamin Charles Parker, 36, was discovered in Enumclaw, Washington, approximately 45 miles outside Seattle. Law enforcement officials believe Parker died by suicide. The Washington County Sheriff's Office stated there was no continuing threat to the public.

The five victims were discovered on Saturday at a home near Forest Grove, Oregon, about 30 miles west of Portland, when emergency crews responded to reports of a vehicle fire. An unspecified number of domesticated animals were also found dead at the property. Investigators have not disclosed the victims' identities, ages, genders, or how they died. Officials also have not released details about what connections, if any, the victims had to Parker or to one another. Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said: "In my 22 years here, I have not been a part of or witnessed a scene quite this complex."

Detective Shannon Wilde of the sheriff's office said on Sunday that investigators were still working to identify the victims and notify their families. She described the investigation as "very active" with "a lot of moving pieces". Wilde said the delay in releasing information to the public was to allow time for victim identification and to ensure accuracy of details released. Detectives stated they do not believe the killings were a random act of violence, without providing further detail.