Family of Homicide Victim, 16-Year Old Kayla Henderson Issues Statement

Kayla had so many aspirations in life...

Kayla Henderson

(PORTLAND, OR) - The family of 16-year old Kayla Henderson, who was the victim of a homicide Friday night, January 18, along Highway 6 east of Tillamook, has changed the location for Saturday's Celebration of Life Service from Sherwood High School to Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel located at 207 Villa Road in Newberg. The service is scheduled to run from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is open to family and friends.

The following statement was previously forwarded at the request of the family:

"Kayla Hendrickson was a beautiful, outgoing, and nurturing young woman. She has so many friends and family that love her so much. While we are all trying very hard to understand this tragedy, the family respectfully requests to grieve privately at this time while we mourn our devastating loss.

Kayla was the most girly tomboy one would have ever met. Anyone that knew her would definitely tell you she had her own unique personality. She had a free spirit, was a total country girl, and could be counted on to make you laugh and smile. If your mood was upside down, she could help turn it right-side up in a second. Kayla had so many aspirations in life and cherished her friends, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Kayla just received her GED last week and had plans to enroll in college this spring. She also used her step-father's last name which is why many people may have known her as Kayla "Blake".

A Celebration of Kayla's life, open to all family and friends, is planned for this Saturday, January 26. A private funeral for immediate family and close friends is being planned.

A memorial fund has been set up through any US Bank to help the family with funeral-related expenses."

Background

An investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and Tillamook County District Attorney's Office into the death of a female found late Friday along Highway 6 about eighteen miles east of Tillamook confirmed the woman's death was from homicidal violence. Investigators positively identified the victim as a 16-year old Beaverton-area female and confirmed a person of interest related to this investigation died Saturday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound along the northern California coast.

Criminal investigators from the Tillamook County Major Crime Team, with the assistance of State and Tillamook County medical examiner offices, identified the victim as Kayla Ann Henderson, age 16. An autopsy done Sunday morning, January 20, at the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the cause of death was from gunshot wounds.

Investigators were also contacted Saturday, January 19, by Humboldt County, California Sheriff's Office regarding a death investigation they were conducting involving a male subject in a vehicle matching the description of one which was of interest in connection with the Highway 6 death investigation. The male reportedly shot himself and died later at an area hospital. The joint investigation between Humboldt County Sheriff's Office and Tillamook County Major Crime Team confirmed the deceased male is known to Miss Henderson and is tentatively believed to be involved with her death. The male's name is withheld pending confirmation that next of kin have been adequately notified.

Previously released information indicates on January 18, 2013 at approximately 10:14 p.m., a vehicle described as an unknown make or model late 1980's to early 1990's full-size pickup was observed by a witness stopped on the north side shoulder of the westbound lane on Highway 6 between milepost 18 and 19. Two people, a man and woman, were seen along the highway near the stopped pickup.

About 25 minutes later, the witness contacted a Tillamook police officer advising of the suspicious circumstances along Highway 6 near milepost 18 about two miles east of Jordan Creek Road. An OSP trooper responded and found a deceased adult female along the highway.

The Tillamook County Major Crime Team is comprised of members from Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, Tillamook Police Department, Manzanita Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Tillamook County District Attorney's Office. The investigation is continuing. Critical assistance during the first few days of the investigation has been provided by:

* Oregon State Police Criminal Investigation Division

* Humboldt County, California Sheriff's Office

* Lincoln County, Oregon Sheriff's Office

* Tillamook County Search & Rescue

* Oregon State and Tillamook County Medical Examiner Offices

* Oregon State Police Forensic Services Division

Investigators extend their sincere appreciation to the public for their help during the initial stages of the ongoing investigation.

Source of information: Oregon State Police