Sheriff's Office Investigating Suspicious Death Following Car Fire ***Update 1***(Photo) (Photo) - 04/23/21

Investigators are continuing to investigate a suspicious death discovered following a car fire on Wednesday evening, April 21, 2021, on Sunnyview Road east of Salem.  An autopsy was performed today at the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office; a final determination on the manner of death has not yet been made.  Until a final determination has been made, investigators are treating this as a possible homicide.

The victim has been identified as Juan Manuel Perez, 39, of Hillsboro. 

Detectives are requesting anyone who may have recently had contact with the victim or with information about this investigation to call our tip line at (503) 540-8079 or submit a tip online at https://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/Pages/tip411.aspx.

Investigators do not believe there is any outstanding danger to the public at this time.

***Original from 4/22/21 below***

On April 21st, 2021, at approximately 10:41 p.m., an off-duty firefighter reported a car fire on Sunnyview Road NE near Hibbard Rd NE in rural Marion County.  While firefighters worked to put out the car fire they a found a person deceased inside the vehicle. 

Detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called in to investigate the suspicious death.  The victim has not yet been identified.  The investigation is still in preliminary stages, no additional information is available for release at time.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about this incident, or residents in the vicinity who may have surveillance footage, to call the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (503) 540-8079 or submit a tip online at https://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/Pages/tip411.aspx.

The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in this investigation by the Keizer Police Department, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police, Silverton Fire District, and Stayton Police Department.