Missing woman's dismembered remains found at Oregon landfill

OREGON CITY, Ore. (TCD) -- Police discovered human remains in a landfill last week they believe are those of 49-year-old woman who went missing in July.

According to Oregon City Police, Kara Rayleen Taylor, who is also known as Kara Sanders, was last seen July 25 at approximately 11 p.m. on the 200 block of Jefferson Street. Taylor, who is from Pasco, Washington, was in town visiting friends. Taylor was reportedly staying at Jamon Fritsch's house when she disappeared, and he reported her missing July 27.

Oregon City Police said the "circumstances of her disappearance were suspicious," so detectives launched an investigation.

On Aug. 5, Oregon City Police and other law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, served a search warrant at Fritsch's home on Jefferson Street as well as other locations, which led them to conclude Taylor died by "homicidal violence." Police arrested Fritsch the morning of Aug. 7 and booked him into the Clackamas County Jail on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and second-degree abuse of a corpse.

About a week later, on Aug. 11, detectives executed a search warrant at the Coffin Butte Landfill in Corvallis and discovered human remains that are most likely those of Taylor.

KOIN-TV reports prosecutors argued in court Fritsch "made multiple trips to Home Depot to purchase zip ties, tarps, a saw blade, a black tote, and contractor bags, among other things" before he reported her missing to police.

Fritsch allegedly told police he killed and dismembered Taylor, then got rid of her remains at different dump sites around the area.

According to The Oregonian/OregonLive, Taylor recently underwent spinal surgery and was staying with Fritsch during her recovery. She worked as a respiratory therapist and has a 22-year-old nonverbal daughter who needs around-the-clock assistance.

Taylor's brother told The Oregonian/OregonLive, "I’d like to lay her to rest. Right now she’s sitting out in a landfill or somewhere, and it kills me. It hurts."

MORE:

• OCPD seeking the public's assistance in locating missing woman, 7/30/2023 - Oregon City Police Department
• Update - Oregon City Police Department
• Prosecutors: Man accused of killing Kara Taylor disposed of her body at multiple dumps - KOIN
• Kara Taylor turned to a friend in Oregon for help. He’s now accused of killing her - The Oregonian/OregonLive