SALEM, Oregon — Oregon State Police confirmed they made an arrest in the murder of a Salem father of three, and it appeared the suspect is a teenage girl.
Police discovered the body of 42-year-old Oscar Lizardo Chaidez in May along Interstate 5 south near the Charbonneau exit. Investigators ruled it a homicide.
Oregon State Police tell KGW they arrested a female juvenile in the case. The Oregonian Newspaper identified the suspect as a 17-year-old. Citing Clackamas County juvenile court records, it said she's facing charges of second-degree murder and use of a dangerous weapon.
"Our whole wheelhouse is definitely baffled by how this even happened and why," said Michael Kirchoff, a close friend of Chaidez. "The detectives did their job, and they cared enough about a person of color that's gone, not just another statistic."
Kirchoff, who also goes by DJ My-G, knew Chaidez through their shared love of music. Chaidez went by the name DJ Ozroc. Kirchoff said Chaidez would do anything to help his family and friends. He fears that drive for helping others may have led him into danger.
"[Chaidez] mentioned to one of my friends that, 'Oh, I was just trying to look out for this girl,'" recalled Kirchoff. "I'd never met her; I don't know who she is. I don't even know how she fits into his world."
It's a world now without Chaidez, but maybe one step closer to knowing why.
"I'm glad there's some sort of justice to fruition," said Kirchoff.