A Cornelius, Oregon, mother killed her three children before taking her own life in April 2025, police said Monday.
Hong Phuong Le, 37, and her three kids — Thanh Tien Dam, 7; Ha Ngan Dam, 5; and Viena Mai Dam, 2 — were declared dead April 8, 2025, inside a home in the 300 block of North 15th Avenue, not far from Cornelius Elementary School.
It was not until Monday, however, that police announced the deaths were a murder-suicide and closed the case.
Police said detectives believed early in the case that it was a murder-suicide but collected forensic evidence to rule out homicide.
“We recognize that no investigative conclusion can undo the pain caused by this tragedy,” Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said. “We sincerely hope the conclusion of this investigation provides some measure of peace to those affected.”
Oregon State Police completed its forensic testing in May, and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office finished reviewing the investigation on Tuesday, determining that the evidence supported the detectives’ belief.
Police did not immediately release more information.
“As the chief of police of Cornelius and someone that responded that day, this tragedy has stayed with me,” Chief James Coley said. “Three young children were taken from us. They were part of our community, and they are not forgotten.”
Portland is home to Lines for Life, a nonprofit devoted to suicide prevention that operates the 988 suicide and crisis line in Oregon. Calls and texts are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call or text 988 for 24-hour, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org.
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