Keizer, usually the kind of place people drive through on their way to Salem, is suddenly at the center of a homicide investigation after a 59-year-old man was found dead in his home and police launched a search for his wife, who left the state a day earlier.
Authorities have identified the victim as Walter Arthur Peca and say his death is being investigated as a homicide.
Homicide Investigation Underway In North Keizer
Officers responded shortly before 10 a.m. to the area of River Road Northeast and Cummings Lane North, where they discovered Peca deceased inside his Keizer home. The Keizer Police Department publicly identified him on Monday as 59-year-old Walter Arthur Peca and confirmed that investigators are treating the case as a homicide, according to KPTV.
Wife Missing After Leaving State In Red Ford Explorer
As part of the investigation, Keizer police have issued a bulletin for Peca's wife, 56-year-old Shelly Rae Peca. She is described as about 5-foot-5 and 155 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police say she was last seen driving a red or maroon 1999 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with Oregon license plate 716QAX. According to investigators, that vehicle was seen leaving Keizer at around 6:30 a.m. on July 16, then later spotted in Brewster, Washington, at about 10 p.m. on July 17, as reported by KOIN.
Police: Do Not Approach, Call 911
Authorities are asking the public to keep their distance if they see Shelly Peca or the vehicle in question. Instead of trying to contact her directly, anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call 911 so officers can respond and handle the situation safely, according to KPTV.
Small Department Tackles Major Case
Keizer is a bedroom community just north of Salem with roughly 40,000 residents. The city notes on its website that the Keizer Police Department has about 42 sworn officers, which means a high-profile homicide investigation like this one lands on a relatively small local force.
The department's online materials describe a Criminal Investigations Division that handles major cases for the city, according to the city of Keizer website.
Investigation Active, No Arrests Announced
So far, police have not announced any arrests or formal charges in connection with Peca's death and have not released details about the cause of death. The investigation remains active, and detectives are still working to piece together what happened.
Authorities have repeated that anyone with information should contact 911, a request echoed in reporting from KOIN.
