On a tragic day in November 2014, the life of a 46-year-old White/Caucasian woman, Nicolette Naomi Elias, was brought to a violent and premature end in Portland, Oregon. On the morning of November 10th, concerned for their mother's welfare, her two young daughters contacted the authorities, unable to reach her. This distress call led police to Nicolette's home in Southwest Portland, where they would make a grim discovery.
Upon their arrival, officers were met with a scene that prompted
the deployment of the Special Emergency Reaction Team. Using a camera attached to a K-9, law enforcement was able to view the interior of the residence, where they found Nicolette deceased. The subsequent investigation by the Oregon State Medical Examiner would reveal the horrific nature of her death; she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds as well as two wounds inflicted by arrows. At the time of her death, Nicolette was a valued employee at Portland State University, working as an office specialist in the Department of Psychology.
The suspect in this harrowing case was quickly identified as Nicolette's 47-year-old ex-husband, Ian Elias. The investigation swiftly led law enforcement to his home on Northeast 25th Avenue. As the SERT team surrounded the residence, a tense standoff ensued. However, the confrontation came to a sudden and tragic end when Ian Elias exited the rear of his home and took his own life with a single gunshot to the chest.
In the wake of this devastating murder-suicide, the primary concern of the authorities was the well-being of the two young girls who had lost both their mother and father in a single day. Detectives worked closely with the Oregon Department of Human Services to ensure the children were placed in a safe and secure environment as they began to grapple with their immense loss. The girls were found to be safe with their stepmother.
