Male Dies In The Linn County Jail - 09/02/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on August 22, 2026, at approximately 5:33 a.m., Linn County Jail deputies were conducting hourly cell checks when they found adult-in-custody Ronald Rambo, 57, of Scio, breathing but unresponsive in his cell and experiencing an apparent medical emergency.  Rambo was alone in his cell and had last been checked by jail deputies at approximately 4:58 a.m., thirty-five minutes prior and was not exhibiting any apparent signs of medical distress.

Upon locating Rambo, deputies immediately began lifesaving measures and requested emergency medical assistance.  Albany Fire Department personnel responded, continued lifesaving measures, and transported Rambo to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.  Rambo was found to have head trauma causing life-threatening injuries.  Rambo remained at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center from August 22 until August 29, 2026, when he died.

Rambo was the only adult-in-custody occupying the cell.  Through the investigation, it was determined Rambo likely fell from the top bunk, hitting his head which caused the fatal injuries.  The State Medical Examiner’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Rambo had been in the custody of the Linn County Jail since July 29, 2026.  He was being held on charges including domestic violence-menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and felony possession of methamphetamine.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with Rambo’s family throughout this process.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.

Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Drowning At Lewis Creek Park (Photo) - 08/10/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on August 9, 2026 at 5:41 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person at Lewis Creek Park in Sweet Home. It was reported that Shuaib Ahmed Mubarak, 37, of Corvallis, was visiting the park with family and friends and had not been seen for approximately one hour. 

While deputies were responding to the park to conduct a search for Mubarak, two swimmers reported seeing a person submerged in approximately 10 feet of water within the enclosed swimming area of the park.  Personnel from the Sweet Home Fire Department and members of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded and pulled the person from the water.  The person was confirmed to be Mubarak, who was confirmed to be deceased.  Mubarak was transported to Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.  Our thoughts are with Mubarak’s friends and family during this difficult time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident, or who may have seen Mubarak at the park, is asked to contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 967-3950 and reference case number 26-03091. 

Detectives Investigating Shooting Death In Mill City (Photo) - 08/06/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on August 5, 2026, at approximately 4:14 a.m., deputies with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7-Eleven in Mill City after receiving a report of a female who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A deputy arrived within minutes of the report and located a male acting erratic near a black 2010 Ford Edge, and a female inside the vehicle.  The deputy began performing lifesaving measures on the female as she did not have a pulse.  Responding paramedics declared the female deceased shortly after their arrival. 

Detectives from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location to assist with the investigation.  Investigators identified the female as Kristie Ann Miltimore, 41, and the male as Rian Eugene Bernhardt, 51, both from Bend.  Rian Bernhardt was interviewed at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and later arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail for the charge of Possession of Weapons by Certain Felons (Firearm). 

Investigators determined that Kristie Miltimore and Rian Bernhardt were together at the time of the shooting at an unknown location near the Mill City area.  Investigators are asking for anyone that may have seen the Ford Edge or had contact with Rian Bernhardt or Kristie Miltimore prior to the shooting to contact Detective Scott Tennant at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 967-3950.  No further information is available at this time.