Ellen Larson

In the quiet city of Troutdale, Oregon, friends and colleagues knew Ellen Larson as a woman of integrity, warmth, and generosity. The 61-year-old White female was remembered by those who loved her as a kind and supportive friend, someone with a positive spirit and a caring heart. A former work colleague recalled her honesty, which left a lasting impression years after they had last spoken. To another friend, she was a "Garden Guru" who shared her spirit and intelligence with everyone. Her loss left a void in the lives of those who cherished her friendship and valued her presence.

The summer of 2016 was shattered by tragedy on the morning of Saturday, August 20th. A landscaping crew arrived to do scheduled work at a home located at 1701 Northeast Seidle Road, a property in a more rural area of Troutdale. As they prepared to begin their tasks, they made a shocking discovery. Inside a car parked in the driveway, they saw a body and immediately alerted authorities. At approximately 9:00 a.m., deputies from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene.

Upon their arrival, deputies confirmed the landscapers' report: a deceased woman was inside the vehicle. She was soon identified as Ellen Larson. Concerned for the safety of anyone else on the property, deputies conducted a search of the residence. Inside the home, they found another body, that of a deceased man later identified as Ellen’s 62-year-old husband, Keith Gregory Larson. The discovery turned a quiet suburban morning into a major homicide investigation.

Detectives with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office took charge of the investigation. The scene was processed for evidence, and investigators recovered weapons from the home. It was determined that there was no ongoing threat to the public. The county medical examiner took custody of both bodies to determine the official causes of death. The subsequent autopsies revealed the grim sequence of events that had likely transpired on the evening of Friday, August 19th.

The medical examiner concluded that Ellen Larson had died from multiple gunshot wounds. Her death was officially ruled a homicide. Keith Larson was found to have died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his death was ruled a suicide. Based on the evidence found at the scene and the medical examiner's findings, investigators determined that Keith had fatally shot his wife before taking his own life.

The case was officially classified as a murder-suicide. Because the sole person responsible for Ellen’s death was also deceased, the investigation was concluded. No arrests were made, and no suspects were sought by law enforcement. The case stands as solved, leaving a community and family to mourn the devastating loss. Friends expressed their profound sadness online, with one writing, "I will miss her friendship, warmth, spirit and great conversations. I have a lot of great memories of this special lady and I'll hold them forever."