PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The family of a young woman murdered in Bend is pushing for new legislature that they hope will help save the lives of other people.
In July 2016, 23-year-old Kaylee Sawyer was walking near the Central Oregon Community College Campus when campus security guard Edwin Lara picked her up.
After putting Sawyer in the back of a campus security vehicle, Lara assaulted and murdered her.
Lara pleaded guilty to aggravated murder in January and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
For months, Sawyer’s family has been working to draft legislation that will place tight restrictions on campus security officers.
“Kaylee’s Law” would require criminal background checks for all campus security staff and prohibit the use of cages in campus security vehicles.
Sawyer’s family and the chief of Bend police testified in favor of Kaylee’s Law in Salem on Friday.
Sawyer’s dad, Jamie Sawyer, is trying to focus on anything good that could come from the loss of his daughter.
“Just to be able to hang your hat on something positive that comes from this, from the murder of your daughter, rather than nothing — most people get nothing — you just have to deal with the loss,” Jamie said.
KOIN 6 News will follow this story and the outcome of the proposed legislature.