Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Two Dead In Reedsport House Fire; Suspect Arrested For Murder - 04/17/26

REEDSPORT, Ore. – A Reedsport woman is in custody on murder charges following a residential house fire Thursday night.

 

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, shortly before 11:00 p.m., Douglas County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 27000‑block of Lower Smith River Road. Callers reported individuals were unaccounted for and possibly still inside the residence.

 

Deputies and firefighters responded to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies attempted rescue and located one individual who was pulled from the house. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 65‑year‑old victim was pronounced deceased. A second victim, aged 67, was also located inside and declared deceased. A third individual was able to escape the residence and was uninjured. Identification of the victims is being withheld pending next‑of‑kin notification.

 

Deputies contacted a female at the scene, identified as 41‑year‑old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport, who was detained. Westfall admitted to intentionally starting the fire inside the residence. Early indications suggest the fire began following a disturbance.

 

Westfall was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:


• Murder in the First Degree (2 counts)
• Attempted Murder
• Arson in the First Degree
• Warrant Arrest

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the incident. The Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Additional assistance was provided by the Winchester Bay Fire Department, Reedsport Fire Department, Gardiner Fire Department, Oregon State Police Arson Investigation, Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Reedsport Police Department.

 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist the case is asked to contact investigators at 541‑440‑4471, referencing Case #26‑1212.

Two Dead In Reedsport House Fire; Suspect Arrested For Murder - 04/17/26

REEDSPORT, Ore. – A Reedsport woman is in custody on murder charges following a residential house fire Thursday night.

 

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, shortly before 11:00 p.m., Douglas County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 27000‑block of Lower Smith River Road. Callers reported individuals were unaccounted for and possibly still inside the residence.

 

Deputies and firefighters responded to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies attempted rescue and located one individual who was pulled from the house. Despite lifesaving efforts, the 65‑year‑old victim was pronounced deceased. A second victim, aged 67, was also located inside and declared deceased. A third individual was able to escape the residence and was uninjured. Identification of the victims is being withheld pending next‑of‑kin notification.

 

Deputies contacted a female at the scene, identified as 41‑year‑old Pamela Anne Westfall of Reedsport, who was detained. Westfall admitted to intentionally starting the fire inside the residence. Early indications suggest the fire began following a disturbance.

 

Westfall was arrested and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:


• Murder in the First Degree (2 counts)
• Attempted Murder
• Arson in the First Degree
• Warrant Arrest

 

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the incident. The Sheriff’s Office is the lead investigative agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police, working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office.

 

Additional assistance was provided by the Winchester Bay Fire Department, Reedsport Fire Department, Gardiner Fire Department, Oregon State Police Arson Investigation, Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Reedsport Police Department.

 

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist the case is asked to contact investigators at 541‑440‑4471, referencing Case #26‑1212.