PORTLAND — A Portland man killed himself hours after taking his two daughters from the home where his ex-wife was found dead Monday, police said.
The girls, ages 8 and 9, were found safe with man’s current wife.
The investigation began at about 7:20 a.m., when a neighbor reported hearing gunshots at a home in southwest Portland. The neighbor also saw two small children leave with someone. Inside the home, police discovered the body of Nicolette Naomi Elias, 46. There were no other victims.
Detectives believe Ian Martin Elias, 47, killed his ex-wife, police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said.
A SWAT team and crisis negotiators went to the northeast Portland home where Ian Elias was living.
Rather than surrender or negotiate, he walked to the backyard and fatally shot himself, police said.
Officers ran into the home and found the girls safe with their father’s current wife.
Police walked them to a car, The Oregonian newspaper reported (http://is.gd/bhMX2q ). They were both wearing layers of pink, one clutching a teddy bear.
“They’re healthy. They’re safe,” Simpson said.
The girls were to be interviewed by detectives. Police are working with the Oregon Department of Human Services to place them into a safe home, possibly with relatives.
The bureau’s Domestic Violence Reduction Unit was assisting with the investigation.
Outside the ex-wife’s house, Ahmed Mohamud, who lives across the street, told the newspaper his wife heard five to six gunshots and called him to come home. When Mohamud arrived, he found the front door of their neighbor’s home wide open.
“It’s terrible,” Mohamud said. “I can’t imagine how a human person can take another person’s life, especially when that person cares for children.”
