In a tragic event on May 10, 2022, eight-year-old Xavier Rayvaughn Danger Palmer, a White male, was found deceased in a Gresham, Oregon, apartment. Xavier, along with his six-year-old sister, Kayleana Beatrice Palmer, died from gunshot wounds. The investigation into their deaths quickly revealed a heart-wrenching story of domestic turmoil.
The children's mother, 31-year-old Ashley Palmer, was identified as the suspect in their deaths.
The discovery was made after police were called to perform a welfare check at her apartment. Inside, they found the bodies of Xavier, Kayleana, and Ashley Palmer. Authorities determined that Ashley had fatally shot her two children before taking her own life.
The motive behind the tragic event appears to be a contentious custody battle between Ashley and her ex-spouse, Jenavie Palmer. The couple had divorced in 2020 and were in the midst of a "pretty bad" custody dispute. Jenavie Palmer had contacted police with concerns after receiving a disturbing text message from Ashley late the night before the bodies were discovered, which included a link to a YouTube playlist with the words "mother children murder suicide 2022." Despite a welfare check being requested, officers were initially unable to make contact. By the time they gained entry the following morning, the tragic outcome had already unfolded. No arrests were made as the sole suspect was deceased.
