Last Thursday, a suspect was taken into custody in connection with the death of 80-year-old Judy Hurley, whose body was discovered on Sauvie Island inside a suitcase, Portland Tribune reported. Located near 15200 Northwest Gillihan Road, by the bank of the Willamette River, Hurley, also known as Judy Fivecoats, was pronounced a victim of homicide by the medical examiner.
Following the initial investigation, Michael Darwin Moody, 54, was arrested in an apartment in the St. Johns neighborhood, and he now faces charges including second-degree murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse, according to Oregon Live.
Hurley, whom residents affectionately remember as "Lita," is recalled for her kindness and the way she always sought to help those around her, KOIN noted. Friends Leslie Ortiz and Justin Meisner, who had purchased a house from her last year, offered reminiscences, with Ortiz cherishing memories of Hurley as a woman who even during tough times, would give "her last dollar to help someone."
Meisner described the situation as "heartbreaking," stating "No one deserves to go out that way," and acknowledged Hurley's fun-loving spirit and wide circle of friends in a statement obtained by KOIN.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with information regarding this case to refer to case number 25-6042 when calling 503-988-0560 which might help further their ongoing investigation, as per Oregon Live.
