Crime Solvers Central
CSC
268 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
William Dean death by force case profile photo

William Dean

Case from Portland, OR dated Aug 17, 1974

Victim Details

William Dean

Male

White / Caucasian

Portland

OR

1974-08-17

22

William

Dean

07/06/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On August 17, 1974, in Portland, Oregon, 22-year-old White/Caucasian male William Joseph Dean was found shot to death inside the living quarters at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Accounts indicate his body was discovered in that residence on August 17; some later records contend he had been killed several days earlier, with the discovery following on that date.

The discovery immediately drew attention to the church's maintenance worker, Thomas Eugene Creech, whose room Dean was found in. C ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for William Dean, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • William Joseph “Billy” Dean (1951-1974) - Find a Grave Memorial
  • Who is Thomas Creech
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 3 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    It’s been nearly 50 years since the tragic murder of William Joseph Dean, and I still can't stop t... ...Read More
    03/10/2025
    I've been reading more about the William Joseph Dean case, and something that really baffles me is h... ...Read More
    08/05/2024
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for William Dean

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Portland, Oregon

    Lashone Lawson death by force case in Portland, OR

    Lashone Lawson

    Death: May 10, 1994
    In the early morning hours of May 10, 1994, a tragic and violent home invasion shattered the peace o ...Read More
    Shango Yamaya Wade death by force case in Portland, OR

    Shango Yamaya Wade

    Death: Sep 30, 1994
    On September 30, 1994, 26-year-old Shango Yamaya Wade was fatally shot in North Portland, Oregon. Or O ...Read More
    Daniel Davis death by force case in Portland, OR

    Daniel Davis

    Death: Oct 24, 2021
    White/Caucasian male Daniel Davis, age 47, was found shot to death on the morning of October 24, 202 0 ...Read More
    Phong Truong death by force case in Portland, OR

    Phong Truong

    Death: Sep 23, 1996
    On the evening of September 23, 1996, a young Asian man named Phong Ngoc Truong, aged 20, was fatall l ...Read More
    Bing Woon Joe death by force case in Portland, OR

    Bing Woon Joe

    Death: Sep 15, 1995
    In the early hours of September 15, 1995, a sense of camaraderie filled the Bing Kung Tong, a social a ...Read More
    Eduardo Santana Lopez Jr death by force case in Portland, OR

    Eduardo Santana Lopez Jr

    Death: Oct 11, 2022
    A Hispanic Latino man, Eduardo Santana Lopez Jr., 29, was fatally shot on the night of October 11, 2 ...Read More
    Lorenzo El Pelon Satayal death by force case in Portland, OR

    Lorenzo El Pelon Satayal

    Death: Jul 20, 1993
    On July 20, 1993, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a fatal shooting occurred in Portland's Old Town neig i ...Read More