Police link "Z" to murder of Portland roommate

PORTLAND, Ore. - Police on Wednesday were searching for a person they believe leapt from a third-story window to escape a homicide scene after killing a roommate in north Portland earlier this month.

David Wayne French, 48, is charged in a warrant with the murder of 51-year-old Frank Johnson, who was roommates with French when he died of blunt force trauma to the head, police said.

According to police, officers went to their apartment in the 5700 block of North Kerby Avenue about 9:30 p.m. on May 4 after receiving a call about a disturbance there. Police believe French jumped from the third-story window of the apartment as officers were forcing open the front door to help Johnson.

Detectives were not sure whether French was injured after making the leap.

Detectives believe Johnson was trying to change the living arrangement with French and that may have played a role in the homicide.

Police on Tuesday obtained a warrant charging French with murder.

Police described French as transgender, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 130 pounds with shoulder-length brown hair. French is also known to use the alias Zalia Crizta, or the initial "Z," police said.