Woman found at SW Portland apartment victim of homicide

By KATU.com Staff Published: Dec 26, 2012 at 7:27 AM PDT Last Updated: Dec 29, 2012 at 4:14 PM PDT
Woman found at SW Portland apartment victim of homicide
Portland police released Jaime Larson's Oregon Driver's License photograph, saying they hope it will help people remember any details to help in the investigation.

PORTLAND, Ore. – A woman found dead at a Southwest Portland apartment was a victim of homicide, the medical examiner said Wednesday afternoon.
 
Jaime Lyn Larson, 33, was found dead at the Park Terrace apartments at 2073 S.W. Park Ave. at around 10 p.m. Christmas Day.

Larson worked at Affiliated Computer Services in Tigard. One of her co-workers said she was always smiling and was friendly.

Police have not said how Larson died or who called them about her death, but they carted away several bags from her unit and searched a trash bin throughout the day Wednesday. A neighbor hadn't seen Larson for about a week.

"This was a horrific crime that you never expect to happen to a family member, and losing a loved child on Christmas Day makes the loss especially painful," said Larson's family in a statement released by police.

Police called homicide detectives and set up a mobile command center after the initial investigation inside the apartment. Before the medical examiner determined Larson was a victim of homicide, police considered her death suspicious.

They have not identified any suspects or made arrests in the case, police said.

They said they will not be releasing any more information about Larson's death at this time, citing the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation.

But they are asking members of the public to contact them if they saw her or spoke to her recently and observed any suspicious activity near the apartment complex.

According to law enforcement sources, investigators have interviewed several people who knew Larson.

Those sources also said it was not clear if it was a homicide at first and there was some debate on the issue as the investigation proceeded.

Larson's family set up an account to pay for funeral expenses. Donations can be made to any Banner Bank location under the name Jaime Lyn Larson.

Police ask that anyone who has information about the case to contact Detective Molly Daul at (503) 823-0991 or via email: Molly.Daul@PortlandOregon.gov.