A mother and her three children were found dead inside their Oregon home, but police say there is no threat to the public. A witness called 911 around 3 p.m. on April 8, 2025, reportedly claiming they found the family members dead in a home in Cornelius. When emergency crews arrived, they found a heartbreaking scene.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Hong Phuong Le, 37, Thanh Tien Dam, 7, Ha Hgan Dam, 5, and Viena Mai Dam, 2. Authorities have released few details about what happened but said detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit would help with the investigation.
The Forest Grove School district confirmed to Fox 12 the two eldest children attended school in the district. The district released a statement to the network that reads:
“We were notified yesterday by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office of the tragedy that occurred in the Cornelius community. Two of the individuals, ages 5 and 7, were students at Cornelius Elementary School. This continues to be an open investigation being conducted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and information is limited.
We have communicated with school families and are providing district grief and mental health care resources for students, staff, and families at the school.
At this time, we ask that you be respectful of our elementary school community by directing all further questions to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Our students are going through a lot and need to focus on getting the support they need and to focus as much as possible on their school routines.”
Neighbors told Fox 12 the news has shocked the community.
Casey Dennis thought the family seemed happy. “Seeing the kids happily playing, and they would happily come down the driveway,” Dennis explained. “The mom taking them to school back and forth every day seemed like a very nice routine, and they seemed like just another family in the neighborhood.”
Neighbors said the family had a language barrier, but that didn’t stop them from being good neighbors.
“Even though they weren’t part of the normal communications in the neighborhood, they were a part of it,” said neighbor Heather Murphy. “They had pretty, bright, smiling faces, I will remember,” she continued.
Investigators do not believe there is a danger to the public. If you have information about this case, contact the WCSO Investigations Division at 503-846-2500 and reference case number 50-25-4892.
