On August 19, 2026, The Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in a South River Road neighborhood regarding suspicious conditions. Sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to conduct a welfare check on 44-year-old Yuvonne Allison based on information received from the out of State caller.

Allison was found deceased at the location.  Allison died as a result of multiple stab wounds. Very quickly, 47-year-old Tyler Earl Essex was identified as the suspect in this case.  An arrest warrant for murder was obtained to arrest Essex, with help from the Lane County District Attorney’s Office.

Essex was located in Skagit County Washington.  Local law enforcement in Skagit County Washington worked collaboratively with Sheriff’s detectives to take Essex into custody without incident.

Allison’s family has been notified. This is an ongoing investigation. There is no threat to the public at this time.  All parties associated with this investigation have been accounted for.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Oregon State Police, the Lane County District Attorney’s Office, the Sedro-Woolley (Washington) Police Department, and the Skagit County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.