In the quiet community just west of Salem, Oregon, a sense of unease began to grow when 59-year-old Caucasian male Rick Jackels and his wife, Suzanne, failed to show up for work for two consecutive days. A concerned citizen reached out to the Polk County Sheriff's Office on a Tuesday morning in early February 2018, prompting deputies to conduct a welfare check at the couple's residence on Lakeview Drive NW.
Upon their arrival, law enforcement officials made a grim discovery.
Inside the home, they found Rick and Suzanne Jackels deceased. Investigators at the scene determined that the couple had been dead for some time before their bodies were found. The initial shock of the discovery rippled through the neighborhood and among friends who knew the couple as happy, full of life, and very giving. They were known for hosting parties and enjoying social gatherings with a close-knit group of friends.
An autopsy was conducted to determine the cause of death for both individuals. The medical examiner concluded that Rick and Suzanne Jackels both died from gunshot wounds. Despite the violent nature of their deaths, the Polk County Sheriff announced that there was no evidence to suggest the involvement of any other suspects. Authorities assured the public that there was no ongoing danger to the community, and they were not searching for any outstanding individuals in connection with the deaths. The investigation did not lead to any arrests, and no suspects were publicly identified, leaving friends and family to mourn the sudden and tragic loss of the couple.
