Two Arrested for Murder in Portland

Police have been looking for the pair since June 21st.

Christopher Aquino and Nichole Regalia Photos: Portland Police

(PORTLAND) - On Tuesday, Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detectives charged 36-year-old Christopher Aquino with one count of Murder and one count of Abuse of Corpse and 22-year-old Nichole Regalia with one count of Abuse of Corpse and one count of Hindering Prosecution in connection with the shooting death of 48-year-old Raymond Ezelle.

The investigation began on June 21st, just after 10:00 PM, when Columbia County Public Safety Dispatch received a call of a deceased person found on private property near a gated access road off Alston-Mayger Road.

The major crimes team, which included detectives from the Oregon State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, and personnel from the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory responded to the scene. The victim was identified as Ezelle and an autopsy performed by State Medical Examiner's Office determined that he died of a gunshot wound.

When the subsequent investigation led detectives to conclude that the homicide occurred in the 1500 block of Southeast 32nd Place in Portland, homicide detectives from the Portland Police Bureau joined the investigation.

Aquino, who has been in custody on a parole violation since July 21st, and Regalia, who was arrested on July 24th, 2006, were charged this morning after detectives executed a search warrant at their apartment.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Bryan Steed at (503) 823-0395 or Detective Rich Austria at (503) 823-0449.

Portland Police Spokesman Sgt. Brian Schmautz, says the investigation is continuing. He clarified that the charge of Abusing a Corpse under Oregon law, includes moving a body after the criminal act of murder has been committed. That is why the charge was applied to Aquino and Regalia.