ARRESTED: Gary Cavan in police custody on felony homicide charge
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
PRAIRIE CITY – BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Gary Cavan, wanted for murder in John Day, has been arrested and is in police custody. Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley confirmed to our newsroom that Gary Cavan was spotted trying to enter the Sag’s Motel east of Prairie City, and is in custody following a short manhunt through the juniper trees. Find a press release from the Oregon State Police below:
(Press Release from the Oregon State Police)
At 10:50 a.m. the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a subject trying to break into an abandoned hotel just east of Prairie City. The description of the male suspect matched the description of Gary D. Cavan who is the suspect in the active homicide investigation at the John Day Motel. Multiple troopers from the John Day worksite responded to the area along with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. While responding to the area the suspect fled on foot into the hills south of Hwy 26. OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers and patrol troopers set up a perimeter and at 11:26 a.m. they located the suspect [and] took him into custody without incident. The suspect was positively identified as Gary D. Cavan. Cavan is currently being held on a felony homicide warrant (no bail) as well as a felony Oregon State Parole Board Warrant with no bail.
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Pictured are OSP Trooper Weaver and Sergeant Timko with the subject wanted for the murder of a 41-year-old woman in a motel in John Day. Cavan has been on the run since February 28th.
**Photos from Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley**
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(Press Release from Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley)
This morning at 10:50 am, a caller contacted the Grant County Emergency Communication Center to report a male subject had broken into Sags Motel (the old Golden West) 2.5 miles east of Prairie City Oregon
The description given by the caller of the male matched that of Gary Cavan, the individual suspected in the February 27th slaying of Janelle Klaar in John Day.
Deputies and Troopers responded to the location, and as they were responding, were advised according to witnesses that the male had run west down Highway 26 from that location and into nearby juniper trees.
Cavan was ultimately located at 11:18 am south and east of Sags Motel, near a ridge top, and taken into custody without incident.
I would like to thank all agency personnel that have been involved in this manhunt, and all the citizens that have called with information. It is greatly appreciated.
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PREVIOUS (3/4/25): More information has come in regarding the recent brutal murder of a 41-year-old woman at a motel in John Day. The victim, Janelle Klaar, was known to the suspect, Gary Cavan, for approximately six months. Cavan is still at-large and is considered armed and dangerous. At last update, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported that Cavan was transported out of the area and was last seen on February 28th in Baker City.
Information from a Probable Cause Affidavit shared to our newsroom from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office explains that on February 27th, a female described as “distraught” and identified as 41-year-old Janelle Klaar had contact with Grant County Undersheriff Mobley near a bus stop in John Day. Klaar claimed she had been dropped off and could not get out of the area.
The Heart of Grant County shelter for victims of domestic violence was able to provide Klaar a room at the John Day Motel, along with a bus ticket set to leave early the next morning. The affidavit explains Janelle advised Heart of Grant County staff that she came to John Day to see Gary Cavan, 42, who lives with his mother (Mickie Turner) at a location on NW 7th Street in John Day. The two (Cavan and Klaar) had known each other for approximately six months.
It was also documented that, “Gary Cavan had been calling Heart [of Grant County] since 2/23 trying to get help to get out of town.”
On the morning of February 28th, a relative of Gary Cavan and his mother Mickie Turner called Grant County Dispatch. Documentation shows the relative, “…said something bad happened last night and wanted a welfare check on Mickie. She did not know what it was.” The home on NW 7th Street was checked by officers, and no one came to the door.
At 10:52 a.m. that same morning, Grant County Dispatch received a call advising, “there was a female in room 204 at the John Day Motel bleeding from her head. Upon Law Enforcement arrival at 1056 am, a deceased female was located in the room 204 by Sheriff McKinley. She appeared to have been struck in the head repeatedly with a yellow handled hammer that was present.” The deceased female was identified as Janelle Klaar.
Upon investigation, motel video footage showed a male matching the description of Gary Cavan arrived and departed the night before. The affidavit states that, “The female was the only one staying on the second floor. There was a brief time witnesses heard commotion, but then it stopped and nothing else was heard.”
The house on NW 7th Street was then searched and “no persons or signs of foul play were located there.” Also, a motorhome on the property contained mail with Gary Cavan’s name on it. One of the vehicles from the residence appeared to be missing when police searched the property. GCSO reports, “the suspect was transported away from the area and is being actively sought.” Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley reports that Mickie Turner has been arrested and is in custody for hindering prosecution.
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(From the Grant County District Attorney’s Office)
