
The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as Joanna K. Speaks, 32, of Oregon
A homicide case out of Clark County has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the Portland Police Bureau.
On April 8, 2023, the Ridgefield Police Department responded to the 8000 block of South 5th Street in Ridgefield, Washington on a report of a death. At the request of Ridgefield Police, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit (MCU), assisted by the Vancouver Police Major Crimes Unit, responded to investigate. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as Joanna K. Speaks, 32, of Oregon.
Based on information developed in that investigation, there is reason to believe that the homicide happened in Portland. No arrests have been made.
This is an active homicide investigation, and the Portland Police Bureau is asking for information from the public. If anyone has information about this case, please contact Detective Jeff Pontius at Jeffery.Pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-0433, or Detective Steve Gandy at Stephen.Gandy@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503) 823-0449 and reference case number 23-804445.
This homicide brings the total number of homicides in Portland this year to 68.
Previously released information from Clark County Sheriff’s office is available here: https://flashalert.net/id/ClarkSheriff/162771
Information provided by Portland Police Bureau.
Also read:
- C-TRAN ridership grows for fourth consecutive yearC-TRAN ridership topped 5 million trips in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of growth.
- Washougal secures federal support for infrastructure projectsThe city of Washougal received $3.3 million in federal funding for drinking water PFAS remediation design and 32nd Street Rail Crossing safety improvements.
- Clark County seeks volunteer for Law and Justice CouncilClark County is seeking a volunteer from the unincorporated area to serve on the county’s Law and Justice Council.
- City of Battle Ground seeks applicants for Lodging Tax Advisory CommitteeThe City of Battle Ground is accepting applications for two Tourism Generator positions on its Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
- Letter: The Great Reversal – Cortes cuts local taxes, then loads schools and hospitals with unfunded state mandatesShauna Walters argues that Sen. Adrian Cortes has reversed his local anti-tax record by supporting state mandates and new taxes in Olympia.
- Watch Seattle’s Super Bowl Celebration Parade on CVTVCVTV will air live KIRO television coverage of Seattle’s Super Bowl celebration parade for local viewers in Clark County.
- Letter: Part One – Inside Ridgefield School District’s failure to protect studentsA Ridgefield parent and Rob Anderson describe how student complaints against a high school coach were handled by the school district.








