Suspect in Happy Valley triple homicide found dead in Oregon motel

Edward Villa, a 45-year-old employee of the North Clackamas School District, was found dead in a motel in Hammond, Oregon, on Wednesday. Villa was the primary suspect in a triple homicide that occurred Tuesday in a suburban Portland home in Happy Valley.

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered three bodies resulting from “homicidal violence” during a welfare check. While the victims have not been identified, authorities tracked Villa to the coastal motel approximately 100 miles from the crime scene using license plate readers.

U.S. Marshals attempted to apprehend Villa after an arrest warrant was issued. Following the deployment of tear gas and munitions, a drone discovered his body inside the motel room. It remains unclear if the death was a suicide. Law enforcement officials stated that no shots were fired by officers during the operation and there is no ongoing threat to the public.