In the early hours of December 20, 2023, a tragedy unfolded in the quiet community of Boring, Oregon, ending the life of 43-year-old Diane Marie Psaros. A woman known for her bright smile and kind nature, she was a dedicated teacher, a talented artist, and a loving mother. Her life, however, had been overshadowed by a contentious divorce that had been proceeding for 18 months.
On that Wednesday morning, deputies from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a
shooting at a residence on Southeast Cottrell Road. Upon arrival, they discovered a grim scene. Inside the home, Diane Psaros, her 46-year-old boyfriend Brian Lee Rolen, and a dog were found deceased from gunshot wounds. The initial investigation prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area as deputies searched the property for any potential ongoing threat.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly identified a suspect: 54-year-old Lawrence Nathan Peters, Diane's estranged husband. Later that same morning, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to pull over a white Ford utility van driven by Peters for a traffic violation. Peters did not comply, leading to a brief pursuit that ended when he took his own life. The East County Major Crimes Team has since confirmed the incident as a double homicide followed by the suspect's suicide.
Further details that emerged painted a harrowing picture of the events leading up to the fatal encounter. Court documents revealed that Diane had previously sought a restraining order against Peters in 2022, expressing fear for her physical safety, but her request had been denied by a judge. Those close to Diane remember her as a gentle and loving soul who was just beginning a new chapter in her life with her boyfriend. She was an accomplished woman, holding both a bachelor's and a master's degree in education from Portland State University, and had dedicated many years to teaching in the Reynolds School District while also running her own marketing company. She is survived by her son, mother, and sister.
