Victim has been identified as 55-year-old Melissa J. Stephan of Oregon City

The victim discovered in rural Camas on Oct. 9 has been identified as Melissa J. Stephan, 55, of Oregon City. The Clark County Medical Examiner’s office determined she died of a homicide from a gunshot wound to the head. 

On Oct. 10, a person of interest in this case was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound at a hotel in Beaverton. She was identified as Ruby M. Stephan, 48, also of Oregon City. 

Melissa and Ruby were married and had recently relocated to the area from Texas. 

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit (MCU) has served multiple search warrants in this case and worked with detectives from the Beaverton Police Department. MCU detectives continue to work on this investigation and additional updates will be provided when available.

On Oct. 9, CCSO deputies responded to a vacant rural property near NE Winters Road and NE 86th Street in Camas for the report of a suspicious death. 

Several people were viewing the large property with a real estate agent when they came across what they believed to be a deceased person and called 9-1-1. When deputies arrived, they located a deceased female who had what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Deputies called for the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) for a homicide investigation.

CCSO MCU responded to the scene, interviewed area residents, collected scene evidence, and continued the investigation. During their investigation, they identified a possible person of interest. 

This is an active investigation being conducted by the Clark County Major Crimes Unit with the assistance of several police departments in Oregon.

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.