Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office arrested suspect following homicide early Tuesday morning
By Mindy McKerrall on Thursday, January 8th, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
BEND (Released from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office)-On January 7, 2026, at 2:58 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at a property near Bowery Lane and Grandview Drive just north of Bend. Upon arrival, the body of Christi Mitchell, 43, was discovered. Deputies contacted Stephen Mitchell, 45, who was still on scene and took him into custody.
Following an initial interview and investigation, Stephen Mitchell was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail and is facing several charges, including Murder in the Second Degree, Physical Tampering with Evidence, Reckless Burning, and Abuse of a Corpse.
The public may notice police presence near Deschutes Memorial Gardens on the north end of Bend as the investigation continues.
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bend Fire Marshal’s Office.
Further inquiries regarding this case should be addressed to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.
