Salem Police Investigating Motel Room Murder

The manner of death is being withheld pending an autopsy, which is scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow.

22-year old Hugh Crow II is the suspect.

(SALEM) - Salem Police responded to a report of a disturbance at a motel on Hawthorne Avenue NE last night around 8:00 p.m.

Salem Police Lt. Steve Birr, says, "the initial report came from an uninvolved person who was not present, so there was some initial confusion as to the location. Within twenty minutes it was confirmed that this had occurred at the Holiday Lodge, 1400 Hawthorne NE."

Birr says 55-year old Lee Rakow, was present in the room when he observed 22-year old Hugh Crow II, attack another male in the room. "Rakow fled the room and called an acquaintance to tell him about it. The acquaintance notified 911," Birr said.

When officers arrived they found a deceased male in the room, along with Crow, who has been lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility, charged with Murder, two counts of Burglary I, and a Parole Violation. Both Crow and Rakow are Salem area transients.

Rakow has been lodged at the Marion County Correctional Facility charged with two counts of Burglary I and a Parole Violation.

Salem Police detectives obtained a search warrant for the motel room and are presently processing the room for evidence.

The deceased has been identified; however his name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The manner of death is being withheld pending an autopsy, which is scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow.

Video from the scene by Jerry Freeman, Salem-News.com: