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Case closed: Estranged husband murdered Tricia Carver

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman found dead in a St. Paul field nearly one year ago was murdered by her estranged husband who then killed himself, officials confirmed.

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday an “exhaustive” investigation found Lemarr Carver killed Tricia Carver and left her body in a field off of Vachter Road NE. Her body was found on the morning of Nov. 5, 2018.

Tricia had been staying with her mom while going through a divorce. Her mother reported Tricia missing after not hearing from her in 24 hours.

A close friend of Tricia’s told investigators that Tricia had called her on the evening of Nov. 4 while driving to meet with Lemarr. Tricia told her friend that she didn’t know what to do after learning more details about the woman Lemarr was having an affair with. The friend reported Tricia suddenly ended the call, saying she had to get off the phone because “he is coming.”

Lemarr Carver’s home in Hillsboro. (KOIN)

The friend said Lemarr, who was a criminal defense attorney who practiced in Salem, was emotionally abusive and very controlling of Tricia.

Hillsboro police went to Lemarr’s home on Nov. 5 after the missing person report was filed for Tricia. Lemarr wasn’t home but officers learned he had been taken to the ER earlier that day for a reported anxiety attack, saying he was “worried” about his estranged wife who was “missing.”

Tricia’s body was identified on Nov. 6. Officials said she was killed by blunt force injury of the head and neck and her wounds suggested she had been strangled. She also appeared to have been beaten. Her car was also found in a restaurant parking lot near the Woodburn Outlet mall, about 5 miles from where her body was found.

On the morning of Nov. 7, Lemarr called investigators and said, “I hear you have some information for me.” Lemarr said he would come to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office that afternoon but he never showed up.

A tactical team from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office went to Lemarr’s home in Hillsboro later that evening and found him dead inside with a gunshot wound to his left temple. He was dressed in a suit, tie and dress shoes and a 9mm handgun was near his left hand.