Do you know who killed Roger Lynn Beedle in 1996? On May 6, 1996, 30-year-old Roger Lynn Beedle was found dead on a parking strip at North Buchanan and North Olympia Streets in Portland, Oregon. Responding to a disturbance call at approximately 2:50 a.m., police discovered Beedle had been brutally beaten and stabbed. Witnesses reported seeing a man stomping on Beedle's chest and telling him to 'shut up.' The suspect was described as a white male in his 20s, approximately 6'1', 200 lbs.
He fled the scene with two other men, both African-American and also in their 20s, walking southbound on North Buchanan. A red or maroon 1980s Buick Regal or Chevy was seen leaving shortly after the incident.
Beedle was known to be a frequent drug user in Portland's North and Northeast areas, and authorities believe drugs or robbery may have been the motive for his murder. Despite witness reports, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved. The Portland Police Cold Case Unit continues to investigate, encouraging anyone with information to come forward, and Crime Stoppers has offered a reward for tips leading to an arrest.
This case is part of Portland's long list of cold cases, with authorities hoping for new leads or advancements in forensic technology to help solve the murder of Roger Beedle.
