SHERWOOD, Ore. — A 38-year-old man appeared before a Washington County judge on Monday after deputies arrested him Friday in connection with the death of his 64-year-old partner, Mary McDowell. McDowell's body was found early Friday morning near her home outside of Sherwood.
Just before 5 a.m. Friday morning, officers responded to a call about an unresponsive woman along Southwest Edy Road near Ramblin Reck Road in a rural area west of Sherwood. When police arrived, McDowell was found dead. Her partner, Jose Lucas Morfin Jr., was detained at the scene and later charged with second-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and felon in possession of a firearm.
Initially, authorities did not believe the incident appeared to be "homicidal or intentional," but detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding McDowell’s death. Additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
"There’s not a lot of details that have come to surface, just yet," said sheriff's office spokesman Deputy David Huey. "The investigation is still ongoing.”
“As investigators were working through the scene, I think circumstances that came out led to him being a participant in their death," Huey said of Morfin's arrest. “I think as this investigation unfolds and more of the pieces are put into place, those charges could change.”
Investigators are particularly concerned about the nature of the relationship between Morfin and McDowell, especially due to their 26-year age gap.
“They were together, my understanding is they were partners, but there is an interesting dynamic there that does concern investigators," said Huey. "That age gap in itself is a concern for our investigators and the circumstances of her death. We want you to come forward if you know anything about that.”
In court on Friday, Morfin shouted out to the courtroom, saying, “Please don’t listen to the propaganda. I was there with Mary and I tried to revive her.” He added, “I love Mary with all my heart,” as he tried to explain his side of the story.
Morfin is being held without bail and is scheduled for his next court appearance next week. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the relationship or the circumstances surrounding McDowell’s death to contact them.
A detective with the Washington County Sheriff's Office filed paperwork on Monday asking the court to keep the probable cause information sealed, citing the ongoing investigation. They said it risked jeopardizing the case and that there were "additional witnesses to be interviewed, documents to be reviewed, and other digital devices to be analyzed pursuant to future search warrant applications."