Bend, OR – A tragic incident in Washington County has left a community in shock after a 16-year-old girl and her father, a corrections officer, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. Authorities responded to a welfare check at the Baseline Woods Apartments in unincorporated Beaverton around 10 a.m., where they discovered the bodies of Larissa Alexander and her father, Nicholas T. Alexander, in their apartment.
Larissa Alexander, a junior at Century High School in Hillsboro, was found deceased alongside her father, Nicholas, 45. Nicholas Alexander was employed as a corrections officer at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s primary women’s prison located in Wilsonville.
The news of Larissa’s death has sent shockwaves through the local school community. In a statement, Century High School described the loss as “unthinkable” and expressed deep sorrow for the passing of their student. “This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts are heavy,” the school’s statement read. “We are doing our best to wrap around students and staff and support them as they process this unthinkable situation and grieve the loss of their friend and classmate.”
Support services have been made available to students and staff in the wake of the tragedy.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and while authorities have not confirmed the specifics of the situation, they have ruled out any other individuals being involved. According to a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), Nicholas Alexander had been placed on administrative leave from his position at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility on October 15, 2024, just days before the incident.
While the DOC spokesperson confirmed that an investigation into Nicholas Alexander’s conduct was ongoing, details about the nature of the investigation have not been disclosed.
The tragic event underscores the importance of mental health support, particularly for individuals working in high-stress professions such as corrections officers. Mental health experts have emphasized the need for better resources and support systems for those working in high-pressure environments, where the risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues may be elevated.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by texting or calling 988, which connects individuals to trained counselors available 24/7.
As the investigation continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of Larissa Alexander and process the tragic events that led to this devastating outcome.
