5 PEOPLE AND 4 ANIMALS FOUND DEAD ON OREGON PROPERTY — SUSPECT LATER FOUND DEAD

A shocking homicide investigation is unfolding in rural Oregon after authorities discovered the remains of five people and four animals at a property about 25 miles west of Portland.

The discovery was made Saturday, Aug. 22, after firefighters responding to a vehicle fire at the rural property alerted police after finding human remains. Investigators subsequently discovered five people, two dogs and two cats who had died. A third cat was found injured and taken to an animal hospital.

 INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFY A SUSPECT

Authorities identified 36-year-old Benjamin Charles Parker as the suspect in the case.

Investigators believe the incident was not random and that Parker was likely acquainted with the victims. However, police have not yet publicly disclosed the victims’ names, ages or genders as they continue the identification process and notify relatives.

The rural property also presented investigators with an unusually complicated crime scene because of its size and heavy vegetation.

Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey described it as one of the most complex scenes she had encountered during her 22 years with the agency.

 THE SUSPECT WAS FOUND 200 MILES AWAY

The investigation took another dramatic turn the following day.

Parker’s vehicle was located near a Safeway store in Enumclaw, Washington, roughly 200 miles from the Oregon property.

Officers found Parker inside the vehicle, deceased. Authorities believe he died by suicide.

 ONE ANIMAL SURVIVED

While four animals were found dead at the property, one cat was discovered alive but injured.

The animal was transported to a nearby veterinary hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to examine the property and reconstruct what happened before emergency crews arrived.

MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN

Authorities have not yet released a detailed timeline or publicly explained the relationship between Parker and the victims.

Autopsies are expected to provide additional information as investigators work to determine exactly how the five people died and what led to the events at the rural property.

Five people and four animals were found at one remote property. The suspected perpetrator was then discovered nearly 200 miles away.

Now investigators are working to piece together the timeline — and determine what happened before the devastating discovery.