An Oregon man has been charged with manslaughter after police found his partner’s body in a car on the side of a rural road.
Mary McDowell, 64, was discovered unresponsive in Sherwood, Oregon, on December 13 by Washington County sheriff’s deputies, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office... Continue reading here ▶
Her partner, 38-year-old Jose Lucas Morfin Jr., was arrested at the scene. He was later indicted on December 20 on charges of manslaughter, assault, abuse of a corpse, and weapons violations. Morfin has pleaded not guilty to all charges, according to the Statesman Journal.
In a statement shared through the sheriff’s office, McDowell’s family described her as a loving and selfless person who dedicated her life to caring for others, especially those at the end of their lives. She had provided end-of-life care for her late husband, other family members, and residents at her mother’s memory care facility.
“She helped so many people throughout her lifetime, and we are asking the public to help her now,” the family said, urging anyone with information about McDowell or her interactions with Morfin to come forward. They added, “Mary was a sweet, kind, caring soul with a delightful giggle who spent her entire life serving and caring for others.”
During a court appearance on December 16, Morfin addressed McDowell’s family, asking them not to “believe the propaganda.” According to KPTV, he said, “Lori, I was there with Mary and I tried to revive her! I love Mary with all my heart.”
The investigation is ongoing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
