Bodies of Man, 4-Year-Old Daughter Found in Apparent Murder-Suicide
- Share via
FLORENCE, Ore. — A Bakersfield man and his 4-year-old daughter, found dead in a van parked in a forest, apparently were the victims of a murder-suicide, police said Tuesday.
Oregon State Police identified the victims as Kenneth John Strassburg, 35, and Melody Strassburg, 4.
A hose had been connected from the exhaust pipe to the heater vent to carry exhaust fumes into the van, which was found off a Forest Service road, according to State Police Trooper Larry Small.
Police dispatcher Marsha Mason said Strassburg left a note and a suicide message recorded on a cassette tape indicating that he was despondent over family problems and wanted to be with his daughter forever.
Strassburg had been divorced from his wife, Jeanie Sara Strassburg of Anaheim, and apparently had a custody arrangement allowing him to have his daughter for about seven days a month, Mason said.
Strassburg picked up the girl on Feb. 21 for her birthday but never returned her, Mason said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
