Obits
Oregon Death Investigation Closed: Mother, 3 Children Identified
Cornelius, OR – An investigation into the deaths of a mother and her three young children inside a Cornelius home has officially been closed following forensic DNA testing and a review by prosecutors,
By Cole Barrett · 2026-11-09T18:29:47.091Z
Cornelius, OR – An investigation into the deaths of a mother and her three young children inside a Cornelius home has officially been closed following forensic DNA testing and a review by prosecutors, Washington County authorities announced Monday, Nov. 9.
According to the Washington County Sheriff 's Office, the Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division completed DNA comparison testing and provided results to detectives May 25, 2026, as investigators worked to rule out other possibilities surrounding the family's deaths.
The case began April 8, 2025, when deputies responded to a home near the 300 block of North 15th Avenue in Cornelius, a Washington County community west of Portland.
A 911 caller reported discovering four deceased people inside the residence shortly after 3 p.m.
Authorities later identified the victims as:
Hong Phuong Le, 37 Thanh Tien Dam, 7 Ha Ngan Dam, 5 Viena Mai Dam, 2 Investigators determined that Le had taken her own life. The Sheriff's Office said DNA testing was conducted to rule out other possibilities and ensure the investigative findings were supported by forensic evidence.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, the district attorney's office notified the Sheriff's Office that its extensive review was complete and that prosecutors found the conclusions consistent with detectives' findings.
With the forensic testing and independent review completed, authorities confirmed the case is now closed.
The investigation was conducted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit, with assistance from state forensic specialists.
The deaths deeply affected the Cornelius community, including the Forest Grove School District, which coordinated communication with students, teachers and staff following the tragedy.
In its final statement, the Sheriff's Office acknowledged the profound impact on the victims' family, friends and surrounding community.
Officials expressed hope that the investigation's conclusion would provide some measure of closure to those affected.