Sheriff's Office IDs 2 people found dead near Estacada, determines cause of death
ESTACADA, Ore. – The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office identified the man and woman who were found dead Monday near a gravel pit in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said the two people are 42-year-old Stacy Jean Rickerd and 43-year-old Jeremy David Merchant, of Estacada.
An autopsy determined they both died of homicidal violence. It is not a murder-suicide situation, officials said.
Authorities say they are looking for at least one person in connection to the homicide. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office is releasing few details about the case, but officials say they don't believe the public is in danger.
“Maintaining the integrity of the investigation. We don’t want to give a lot of information that would only be privy to the suspect or someone who knows something,” said Sheriff’s Sgt. Marcus Mendoza.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says Ricker and Merchant were found dead near a shooting pit off 4615 Road and the 130 Spur in the Mt. Hood National Forest. They say detectives have processed and cleared the crime scene.
“This is public land that is owned by the National Forest, that is a gravel area that people come out there to shoot,” said Sgt. Mendoza.
The sheriff’s office says the dog found near their bodies is named “Talladega.” The dog was initially taken to Clackamas County Dog Services, but has since been placed with family members of the deceased.
Near the crime scene Tuesday, a woman named Tiena Britt who said she knew Rickerd and Merchant for years said she doesn’t know exactly what happened to them, but they didn’t deserve it.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to give them a call.
They say as a reminder to everyone, if you ever think you see or hear something suspicious you should call police.
