Do you know who murdered Laura and Willy Penland in 1983? In the early morning hours of June 5, 1983, a concerned friend of Harold "Willy" Penland made a grim discovery at the North Vancouver Avenue home of Willy and his wife, Laura Penland. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to get in touch with the couple, the friend entered the residence to find both Laura, a Caucasian female, and her husband had been shot to death.
Investigators arriving at the scene were met with a puzzling situation.
The Penland's home was described as being fortified, with bars on the windows and doors, indicating a high level of security consciousness on the part of the occupants. Despite the violent end the couple met, there were no signs of a forced entry. This lack of a break-in has led authorities to believe that Willy and Laura may have known their killer or killers, willingly letting them into their home.
Neighbors reported that Willy had a steady stream of visitors at all hours of the day and night, with most staying for only a brief period. While robbery has been considered as a possible motive for the double homicide, the case has grown cold over the decades. No arrests have ever been made in connection with the murders of Laura and Willy Penland, and no specific suspects have been publicly identified. The investigation into their deaths remains open, a lingering mystery in Portland's history.
