Mother and daughter accused of torturing and killing family member in Oregon
04/10/2025 1:26 pm PDT
SCAPPOOSE, Ore. (TCN) -- Police announced the arrest of a mother and daughter in connection with the abuse and death of a family member.
On March 9, the Scappoose Police Department responded to a death report of an adult, identified by KATU-TV as Benjamin Murphy. Officers said the victim had been under the care and supervision of 63-year-old Kathrine Raina and 31-year-old Hillary Murphy.
Police Chief Chris Fluellen told KATU that the victim is the son of Raina and the sibling of Hillary Murphy.
Benjamin Murphy reportedly died three days before authorities found him, and officers later determined his death was "not due to natural causes but the result of criminal actions."
According to court documents reviewed by KPTV-TV, the victim's cause of death was "in the course of or as a result of intentional torture" and "by neglect and maltreatment consisting of neglect of medically necessary services." Investigators determined Raina and Murphy allegedly intentionally withheld "necessary and adequate medical attention."
On Tuesday, April 8, a jury indicted Raina and Murphy on charges of first-degree murder, murder by abuse, criminally negligent homicide, criminal mistreatment, and abuse of a corpse. They were arrested and booked into the Columbia County Jail on $1 million bail each.
In a statement, Fluellen said, "This case underscores the value of collaboration between agencies in pursuing justice. We appreciate the public’s continued support as the investigation moves forward."
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