VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Detectives are hoping tips from the public can help them locate a man who may be the key to solving a 1974 murder in rural Clark County.
The mystery man was the boyfriend of a 17-year-old girl named Martha Marie Morrison, who was found dead in rural Clark County in late 1974.
Detectives with the Clark County Sheriff's Cold Case Unit said they believe the man may have information that could help them piece together the last days and hours of Morrison's life.
"The man is not a suspect," said Special Deputy Dennis Hunter.
Morrison’s family members told police they can’t remember the young man’s name, only that he visited them in Eugene just after she disappeared. He told them he wanted to help find Martha.
“They met him only briefly in the summer 1974 and several weeks later when he was looking for her,” said Sgt. Fred Neiman, with the Clark County Sheriff’s Dept. “He said he was going to work as a welder in a Portland shipyard or dock.”
They described him as slender, between 5’7” and 5’10” tall, and possibly African American.
Investigators have been able to determine that Morrison met the man at a job-training program in or near Phoenix, Arizona, while she was living with relatives. The two drove through Eugene during the summer of 1974 and then eventually settled in Portland.
Investigators said one day, just before the boyfriend went to work, the couple had an argument. Afterwards, Martha was seen leaving their apartment with some belongings,” according to Neiman.
“Her body was found about two months later in a shallow grave in the Dole Valley area of East Clark County,” he said.
Morrison was about 5’4” tall, with thick, long brown hair. She weighed about 140 pounds and had bad psoriasis everywhere except her face. She frequented coffee houses, where she would often sing or play guitar. She was also proficient in American Sign Language.
Crime Stoppers of Oregon has offered a cash reward up to $2,500 cash for anyone who shares tips that help solve this case. Any information about the former boyfriend and/or Martha's disappearance and homicide could help investigators.
Anonymous tips can be shared online, by texting CRIMES (274637) and typing 823HELP, followed by the tip, or by calling 503-823-HELP (4357) and leaving a message.
