PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police have released the name of a woman found dead in Powell Butte Nature Park on Dec. 9 and asked for the public's help to find her alleged killer, who is currently on the run.
The victim was 27-year-old Kathryn Muhlbach. Police released her identity Monday morning and said the Medical Examiner determined she died by homicidal violence.
Later Monday morning, police announced that a nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for 43-year-old Jose Antonio Caraballo for the charge of second-degree murder (domestic violence). In a press release, police said Muhlbach was Caraballo's girlfriend.
Caraballo's last known address is within the Portland city limits, but he is believed to have fled the area, police said. He has known associates in Oregon, California and Mexico.
Anyone who sees him or has information that could lead to his arrest is asked to immediately call 911.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) previously said officers were dispatched for a report of a body in the nature park just after 3:15 p.m. on Friday. Officers arrived and confirmed that someone was dead at the scene.
Due to suspicious circumstances, officers initially called in PPB homicide detectives to investigate.
Though the address of Powell Butte Nature Park places it on Southeast Powell Boulevard near Southeast 162nd, the park covers more than 600 acres — bigger than Mt. Tabor Park or the Kelly Butte Natural Area. It's unclear where in the park the body was discovered.
Earlier on Friday, Portland police responded to a deadly stabbing in the Centennial Neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Police told KGW that this case was the 91st homicide of the year, surpassing 90 homicides reported in 2021.
Anyone with information about the Powell Butte homicide investigation is asked to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler at Jennifer.Hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-1040, or Detective Joe Corona at Joseph.Corona@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0508. Please reference case number 22-326621.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more details as they emerge.