The bodies of two Estacada residents were found in the vicinity of a shooting pit off 4615 Road in the Mt. Hood National Forest this week. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that they were both the victims of homicide.
At approximately 9:45 a.m. Monday, CCSO deputies along with U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers responded to a 911 call reporting the discovery of two bodies on forest grounds near Estacada. Upon arrival, deputies found the bodies, an adult male and an adult female. A dog was also at the scene, alive, unhurt and near the bodies. The dog was safely corralled and placed in the care of Clackamas County Dog Services.
The Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, Clackamas County Sheriff’s detectives and Crime Scene Investigators, Clackamas County Criminal Reconstruction and Forensic Technicians (CRAFT), and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office also responded to the scene.
The victims were identified as Stacy Jean Rickerd, 42, and Jeremy David Merchant, 43, both of Estacada. The dog, Talladega, was described by one deputy on scene as a “sweet dog,” and was later claimed by family members of the victims.
Investigators are continuing to collect tips and follow-up on leads in this case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 503-723-4949 or https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp. Please reference CCSO Case No. 19-018794.