On a tragic Saturday afternoon in Portland, Oregon, the life of 48-year-old Hispanic female Maria Florencia Rubio was cut short in a devastating act of violence that also claimed the life of her youngest child. On September 6, 2025, police responded to a call at a residence on Southeast 64th Avenue in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood to find a grim scene.
Inside the home, Maria, her 22-year-old son Miguel Morgan, and her 10-year-old daughter Liliana Morgan were all found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly determined that the incident was a double murder-suicide. The suspect in the deaths of Maria and Liliana was identified as Miguel Morgan. Police believe that Miguel shot and killed his mother and sister before turning the gun on himself. As the perpetrator was also deceased, there were no arrests to be made, and authorities are not seeking any other suspects in connection with the case. The Portland Police Bureau's Homicide Unit led the investigation into the tragic event.
The community and surviving family members were left reeling from the sudden and profound loss. A GoFundMe page was created by Maria's surviving 20-year-old son, Mateo Christian, to help with funeral costs and other expenses. In a heartfelt tribute, he described his mother as a loving woman who was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and had a deep passion for gardening and her family. He remembered his sister Liliana as a "beautiful soul" who was excited about the new school year. The grandparents of the children expressed their shock and disbelief, stating it was "hard to understand" what led to the tragedy. Neighbors and loved ones created a growing memorial of flowers and balloons outside the family's home in remembrance of Maria and Liliana.
