Lane County Mugshots ©

  VENETA, Ore. – A chaotic series of events on the evening of March 8 led to two arrests in Veneta, following multiple crashes and a stabbing. At around 7 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported vehicle crash near Territorial Road and Highway 126. However, when they arrived, the vehicle was no longer at the scene. About an hour later, another crash involving a matching vehicle was reported near Jeans Road and Vista Drive. Deputies found the vehicle, a red 1990 Toyota pickup, unoccupied and were unable to locate the driver. An hour after the second crash, deputies were called to a stabbing at a residence in the 29600 block of Jeans Road. During their investigation, deputies determined all the incidents were connected. Emma Kathleen Gunson-Anderson , 39, of Veneta, was identified as the driver of the crashed vehicle and was arrested for DUI and Hit and Run – Property Damage in connection to the crashes. She also faces charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Men...

EUGENE, Ore. – A stabbing incident in downtown Eugene on the evening of March 9 led to a manhunt and eventual arrest. At approximately 5:30 p.m., authorities responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1500 block of High Street . Multiple Eugene Police units and Eugene Springfield Fire arrived at the scene, but the suspect had already fled eastbound on 16th Avenue. A Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit was deployed to assist in the search, but the suspect remained at large. Hours later, at 8:27 p.m., the suspect, identified as 56-year-old Michael Joseph Schlimmer , called authorities to report his location outside the Lane County Jail. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on charges of Assault in the First Degree . The victim, a 21-year-old male, was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a stab wound. Authorities have not yet released details about the motive or circumstances surrounding the attack. The investigation remains ongoing. Information from EPD Mic...

Last month, I reported on the heartbreaking case of Sarah Session and her parents, Paula and Gary Hardenburg. Sarah is accused of abusing and attempting to kill her 9-year-old stepson, Braxton, while her parents are accused of aiding in the abuse and covering up evidence. Today, I introduce you to Christopher Session, Braxton’s father, who is now raising his son, along with his two other children, while navigating the legal battles ahead. Despite all he has endured, Braxton is doing remarkably well, as shown in the photo shared with Christopher’s permission. While the worst is over in terms of physical harm, the emotional toll remains. Christopher and his family now face not just one, but three upcoming trials as they seek justice for Braxton. This case has been ongoing since last year when Braxton was placed at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital after allegedly suffering horrific abuse at the hands of his stepmother. That marked the end of his suffering and the beginning of his...

Eugene, Or. - Cody Lee Lewis , 41, was arrested on March 6 after a Eugene Police officer spotted a white pickup truck with U-Haul labels in the 900 block of Franklin Boulevard. The truck matched the description of a vehicle linked to recent break-ins, including one reported on March 4 outside a hospice facility. After stopping the truck, the officer found that Lewis was driving with a suspended license and identified him as the suspect in at least two vehicle break-ins, along with a third unreported case in Springfield. A further search uncovered a firearm, methamphetamine, burglary tools, and evidence tampering. Lewis now faces multiple charges, including Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. Cases 25-03676 & 25-03551 remain under investigation. Information from EPD Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable...

    Before Bryan Kohberger was identified as the suspect in the Moscow, Idaho, murders, I developed a theory about who the killer might be. My profile was based on past violent incidents, particularly what motivates school shooters, and the psychology of an outcast fueled by resentment and rage. While I didn’t get everything right about Kohberger, I was very close about many aspects of his personality, motives, and how he operated. The Suspect The killer was likely a male between 18-25 years old, physically fit, and socially awkward, an outcast who had spent his life on the fringes. He wasn’t part of the “popular crowd” but desperately wanted to be. He may have tried to integrate into their world, hanging around college bars or parties, possibly even entering the victims’ home before. A minor rejection or perceived slight could have fueled his obsession and deep-seated resentment. When Kohberger was arrested, many of these traits matched him exactly. He was a Ph.D. criminology...

  Some serial killers are driven by delusions and voices only they can hear, but mission-oriented killers are different. They are methodical, intelligent, and often blend seamlessly into society. They plan with precision, choosing their targets carefully and executing their crimes with chilling efficiency. These individuals don’t act on impulse—they follow a mission. I believe Bryan Kohberger’s mission was to commit a series of unsolvable, high-profile murders. He chose his location strategically, an off-the-beaten-path house in Moscow, Idaho, that was easy to access, surveil, and escape from. It was the perfect storm: a small city, a university town, a limited police force, and a house full of well-known students whose deaths would create a media frenzy. He knew this crime wouldn’t go unnoticed, and he likely counted on law enforcement focusing on the victims’ social circles rather than an outsider like himself. But why didn’t he kill everyone in the house? Two possibilities: he m...

  Lane County, Or. -  A dramatic multi-agency rescue effort unfolded on the night of March 5 after a vehicle crashed into the McKenzie River near milepost 31 on McKenzie Highway, leaving the driver trapped. Lane County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police responded to the crash around 8 p.m., with fire agencies from McKenzie Fire, Eugene Springfield Fire, and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District also rushing to the scene. The rescue was complicated by high water, darkness, and the vehicle’s precarious position on a rock ledge in the middle of the river. Deputies deployed a drone to assess the situation while Search & Rescue teams worked on setting a line across the river for a rescue swimmer. The U.S. Coast Guard was also called in, sending a helicopter to assist. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was lowered onto the vehicle, securing the driver before hoisting them to safety. The driver, who was uninjured, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Vi...