PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After nearly two years of waiting for answers, the family of Tiara Atencio is finally seeing justice take shape. Portland police announced Monday that 21-year-old Connor O’Brien has been arrested in Montana in connection with Atencio’s 2023 stabbing death.
Emotional Relief After Two Years
For Atencio’s family, the news came as both a shock and a long-awaited moment of relief. Her sister, Fenicia Damian, said she received the call from Portland police on Sunday afternoon.
“I just fell to my knees,” Damian told KOIN 6 News. “And I was just thankful. I was just like, ‘Thank you, God.’ I felt relieved, I felt grateful — just another step closer to the healing process of my sister not being here.”
Also Read
Atencio’s killing deeply shook the Portland community in 2023. Friends and family described her as kind, artistic, and full of life. Her death left a painful void that her loved ones have carried for years as the investigation unfolded.
Arrest Made in Montana
According to officials, O’Brien was taken into custody in Missoula, Montana, following a joint operation between the Missoula Police Department and the FBI’s Montana field office. Investigators had been tracking O’Brien for months before the arrest.
He now faces charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, authorities said. O’Brien is currently being held at the Missoula County Detention Facility awaiting extradition to Oregon, where he will face prosecution in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
A Step Toward Justice
Portland police have not yet disclosed additional details about what led investigators to O’Brien or what evidence ties him to the case. However, family members say they have maintained faith that detectives would eventually find their sister’s killer.
“This doesn’t bring Tiara back,” Damian said, “but it brings peace knowing the person who did this is finally off the streets.”
Looking Ahead
As the case moves forward, Damian says she intends to attend every court hearing to ensure her sister’s voice continues to be heard.
“This is part of my healing,” she said. “I want to be there to see this through — for Tiara.”
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is expected to coordinate with Montana authorities for O’Brien’s extradition in the coming days.
For Tiara Atencio’s family, the arrest marks a significant milestone in a painful journey — one step closer to justice, and perhaps, to closure.
