1992 Cold Case Murder Linked To Notorious Serial Killer (Photo) - 02/10/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- The Washington County District Attorney’s Office’s Cold Case Unit, in partnership with the Hillsboro Police Department, has linked infamous serial killer Cesar Barone to the previously unsolved 1992 murder of Hillsboro resident Elizabeth Wasson.
 

Mrs. Wasson was found murdered in her home on September 23, 1992. The 82-year-old woman was beloved by friends and family. Known as the neighborhood Avon Lady, she was the widow of a pastor and a pillar of her community. Despite extensive investigative efforts at the time, the case went unsolved for more than three decades.
 

In 1995, Mr. Barone was convicted of the murder of four women and sentenced to death. He also sexually assaulted and strangled three other women who survived the attacks. Mr. Barone was previously considered a suspect in Mrs. Wasson’s murder, but at the time, detectives were unable to directly link him to her case.  Mr. Barone died while in prison in 2009. 
 

In 2023, Hillsboro Police Department Detective Megan Townsend reexamined the investigation into Mrs. Wasson’s murder.  Detective Townsend’s review included submitting physical evidence collected at the murder scene to the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory for additional testing. Technicians discovered male DNA on the submitted material, which forensically linked Mr. Barone to Mrs. Wasson’s murder.
 

“For years, this family lived without answers. Today, we’re finally able to give them the truth they deserved from the beginning. Our thoughts remain with them, and we honor the life of Elizabeth Wasson by ensuring this case is no longer left in silence,” said Detective Townsend.
 

In 2020, this office secured federal funding to help launch the Cold Case Unit in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The grant provides funding for a cold case detective and forensic consultant to investigate cold cases involving identified DNA from a possible suspect. The Cold Case Unit also consults with and assists local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to resolve violent crime cold cases."

“While many years have passed, we hope this result brings some closure to the victim’s family and to the community. This office remains dedicated to delivering justice for victims and their loved ones, no matter how much time has passed,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown.
 

“I’m proud of the amazing work our cold case investigators and prosecutors have done on these incredibly important cases,” added Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “With every cold case solved, we are sending a message to victims and their families that they are not forgotten. We look forward to continuing to do this work and hope to solve more cases."
 

Mrs. Wasson’s surviving family members have been alerted to these developments. They expressed relief that this case is now closed. They respectfully request privacy at this time.
 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brown, who manages the Cold Case Unit, and Detective Townsend are available for media interviews. Contact Public Information Officer Stephen Mayer to coordinate.   

Former High School Teacher Enters Guilty Plea In Sex Abuse Case Involving Students (Photo) - 01/14/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- On January 14, 2026, Wymon Wayne Smith, age 67, pleaded guilty to sex abuse in the first degree and sex abuse in the second degree. Judge Kathleen Proctor sentenced the defendant to 75 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted this case.
 

The defendant worked as a teacher at Banks High School. He initiated an increasingly flirtatious and inappropriate relationship with a student. On January 6, 2025, the victim was alone in class with the defendant when he told the student to close the door so he could give the victim a “real hug.” The defendant then hugged the minor and touched the student inappropriately. He admitted to the student that he “shouldn’t be doing this.”
 

The victim reported the inappropriate actions to a friend who alerted an adult. Law enforcement and school staff were then notified. The defendant was immediately placed on leave pending the results of an investigation. He was later terminated from employment and permanently barred from entering campus.
 

After the initial investigation, detectives learned of a second abuse victim, another student at the school. The defendant also initiated an increasingly flirtatious relationship with this student that progressed to explicit sexual text messages and forceful sexual contact over a period of time.
 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the victims for reporting this abuse. This office also thanks the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.
 

In addition to his prison sentence, the defendant will serve ten years of post-prison supervision and must register as a sex offender. He will also lose his teaching certification.