In the early morning hours of March 17, 2025, the quiet of a residential street in Portland, Oregon's Centennial neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Officers from the East Precinct were dispatched to the 14000 block of Southeast Harrison Street around 12:30 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered the body of a woman, later identified as 45-year-old Brianne Mae Pardue, a White / Caucasian female from Portland.
The medical examiner would later confirm that Pardue's death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.
The investigation into Pardue's death was swiftly undertaken by the Portland Police Bureau's Homicide Unit. Their efforts led to the arrest of 35-year-old Joshua Thielbar in connection with the fatal shooting. Thielbar was taken into custody and booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Brianne Pardue was remembered by her loved ones as a woman with an adventurous spirit who deeply cherished her family. A mother to two children, a 20-year-old son named Ezekiel and an 8-year-old daughter named Berkley, she was also a beloved daughter to her mother, Sheree, and a dear sister to Kaitie. Her passions included riding motorcycles and collecting rare treasures, reflecting a fearless and competitive nature. Those who knew her also recalled her sense of humor and her generosity, always prioritizing the needs of others. A memorial service was planned for May 17, 2025, in Troutdale, Oregon, where friends and family were encouraged to wear black or hot pink, one of her favorite colors, in a tribute to her vibrant life.
