PORTLAND, Ore. — A young Portland woman who was taken to the hospital Thursday night after a stabbing has died, according to an update from the Portland Police Bureau.
Officers responded to Southeast Powell Boulevard near 68th Avenue in the South Tabor neighborhood shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday for a reported assault. They arrived to find Tiara Atencio, 22, suffering from serious injuries. Paramedics took Atencio to the hospital for treatment.
Portland police said that the person responsible for the attack had left the scene "before police were notified," and officers made no arrests at the time. Detectives responded to investigate, and officers shut down Southeast Powell between 68th and 70th avenues for hours during the investigation.
Atencio later died at the hospital. The county medical examiner confirmed that her death was a homicide, the result of multiple stab wounds.
"She was funny, she was caring, she never judged people. She was just a caring person," said Atencio’s sister, Fenicia Damian. "You know when you lose someone you feel empty — you don't know what to feel. It hurts ... it just hurts."
Damian said Atencio was a single mom who leaves behind a 1-year-old son with special needs.
"He was her whole life," Damian said. "She talked about him every day. You want to watch your son grow; you want to be with your kids."
Loved ones are raising money for a celebration of life for Atencio. They're also raising awareness about her case. Damian said she hopes anyone with information will come forward and share it with police and that those responsible will do the right thing.
As of Monday afternoon, Portland police said that no arrests have been made, and "no suspect information is being released at this stage in the investigation."
"Just turn yourself in so we can heal," Damian said. "May God have mercy on you."
The case is now being investigated by PPB's homicide unit. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Scott Broughton Scott.Broughton@police.portlandoregon.gov, (503) 823-3774, or Detective Eric McDaniel Eric.McDaniel@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0833, and reference case number 23-274506.