In the quiet community of Aloha, Oregon, the life of 16-year-old Larissa Juniper Alexander, a White/Caucasian female, was tragically cut short on December 11, 2024. Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office discovered her body alongside that of her father, 45-year-old Nicholas Alexander, in their apartment at the Baseline Woods Apartments. The grim discovery was made during a welfare check initiated after concerned individuals were unable to contact them. Investigators have characterized the incident as a murder-suicide, believing that Nicholas Alexander shot and killed his daughter before taking his own life. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The community, particularly the students and staff at Century High School where Larissa was a junior, was left reeling from the news. The Hillsboro School District mobilized counselors and mental health professionals to provide support to those grieving the sudden and violent loss of a friend and classmate. School officials described the Century High family as a close-knit community, profoundly affected by the trauma. Her untimely death has left a void among her peers and educators, who remember her as a vibrant part of their school.
As the investigation into the circumstances leading to the tragedy continues, some details about Nicholas Alexander have emerged. He had been employed as a corrections officer with the Oregon Department of Corrections since 2015, most recently at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Records show that he was placed on administrative leave on October 4, 2024, pending an internal investigation, the details of which have not been publicly disclosed. Just two days before the fatal incident, on December 9, 2024, Nicholas Alexander was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Authorities have indicated that there are no other suspects and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains open as officials work to understand the factors that led to this devastating event.
