On April 19, 2017, a fatal shooting occurred in Sunny Valley, Oregon, resulting in the death of 54-year-old Randy Allen Hummel. The incident took place on Placer Road, where responding authorities from the Oregon State Police found Hummel's body at the scene.
Randy Allen Hummel, born in July 1963 in Grants Pass, Oregon, was a multifaceted individual with various passions and skills. He had earned his GED and a U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Captains' License at the age of 35.
Hummel had a diverse career, including working at Salmon Falls Resort in Ketchikan, Alaska, where he shared his love of cooking and fishing with guests. He also held a CDL and drove trucks across several states. Known as a jack of all trades, Hummel was renowned for his ability to fix, repair, or accomplish any task with ease and humor. In his personal time, he enjoyed activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking in the mountains surrounding Sunny Valley and along the Rogue or Columbia rivers.
The investigation into Hummel's death led detectives to suspect Amber Ellen Sells, a 40-year-old woman, as the perpetrator of the murder. Following the discovery of Hummel's body, authorities promptly arrested Sells on the charge of murder. As of the morning after the incident, the investigation was still ongoing, with no further details immediately available regarding the circumstances or motives behind the shooting.
Amber Ellen Sells, the suspect in Hummel's murder, was taken into custody by the authorities shortly after the incident. The arrest was a result of the suspicions raised during the initial investigation, although specific details about the evidence or the relationship between Sells and Hummel were not disclosed in the immediate aftermath of the arrest. The case remained under investigation as authorities continued to gather and analyze evidence to build a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to Hummel's death.
The community of Sunny Valley and Hummel's family were deeply affected by his sudden and tragic death. A celebration of life was held on May 27, 2017, at the Old Town Hall in Sunny Valley, where friends and family gathered to honor his memory. Hummel is survived by his mother, Mary Pankey, his twin sister RoxAnn Poulton, and other family members, who remembered him fondly for his many talents and his love for life.
