( Image: Gun Memorial)
Authorities in Oregon are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a father and his teenage daughter at an apartment in Beaverton, according to local law enforcement.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reported that 46-year-old Nicholas Alexander shot and killed his 16-year-old daughter, Larissa Alexander, before taking his own life. The incident occurred at the Baseline Woods Apartments in an unincorporated part of Washington County.
Deputies were dispatched to the apartment complex shortly before 10 a.m. on Wednesday after a concerned individual requested a welfare check, stating they had not heard from one of the residents in some time. When deputies received no response at the door, they entered the residence and discovered both Nicholas and Larissa deceased.
The WCSO Violent Crimes Unit was immediately called to investigate. “This appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the general public,” authorities confirmed.
WCSO spokesman Deputy David Huey stated to The Count that the two were father and daughter and that Nicholas is believed to have fatally shot Larissa before turning the gun on himself. While the county medical examiner has yet to confirm the official cause of death, the investigation remains ongoing, and a clear motive has not been established.
Nicholas reportedly worked as a corrections officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections but had been on a leave of absence since October 4. According to local outlet KGW, Nicholas had also been under internal investigation by the Oregon DOC, though further details about the case were not disclosed.
Larissa, a junior at Century High School in the Hillsboro School District, was mourned deeply by her school community. The district released a statement expressing its heartbreak:
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts are heavy. We are doing our best to wrap around students and staff, and support them as they process this unthinkable situation and grieve the loss of their friend and classmate,” the district said in an email on Thursday.
Century High School Principal Julie Kasper also addressed the devastating loss in a letter to families: “Our Century family is a close community, and any time we experience trauma and loss, it affects all of us deeply. It will take time to heal, but we will get through this together. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Larissa’s family, friends, and all who knew her.”
Counselors are being made available to students and staff as they process the tragedy. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 503-846-2500, referencing case No. 50-24-18037.
