Keizer Man Charged in Wife's Murder

The manner and cause of death will be released by the Marion County District Attorney's Office after an autopsy is performed.

39-year old Peter John Zielinski is accused of Murdering his wife, 38-year old Lisa T. Zielinski.

(KEIZER) - A Keizer man connected with the Murder of his wife apparently came to the police station after hours and turned himself into police early Wednesday morning.

Officers with the Keizer Police Department Patrol Division contacted a subject who was at the police 9-1-1 after-hours, Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 7:12 a.m. The man came to the emergency vestibule located at the Keizer Police Department.

Keizer Police Captain Jeff Kuhns says 39-year old Peter John Zielinski had just used the after-hours dispatch telephone to report his wife needed an ambulance.

"Responding officers made contact with Mr. Zielinski within minutes of his calling dispatch and learned his wife was reportedly at their residence that is located at 836 Nightingale Court NE in Keizer," Kuhns said. Zielinski's wife was identified as 38-year old Lisa T. Zielinski. Police continued interviewing Mr. Zielinski attempting to learn why his wife was in need of medical attention while another group of officers requested paramedics and responded to the residence to check the welfare of Mrs. Zielinski.

"Upon their arrival at the residence officers located Mrs. Zielinski inside the residence and confirmed she was deceased. Based on their observations and information the other investigating officers were gathering, officers believed Mrs. Zielinski's death was criminal in nature."

Kuhns says the residence and property have been secured and are being treated as a crime scene at this time. The vehicle Mr. Zielinski drove to the Keizer Police Department will be impounded as soon as a search warrant is obtained.

Kuhns said, "There were no other individuals located inside the residence when officers responded, however investigators have confirmed the Zielinski's have two young children. Both children have been contacted by investigators and are being cared for by other members of their family at this time. Mrs. Zielinski's immediate family has been notified of her death and the ongoing criminal investigation."

Raw footage from the crime scene by Salem-News.com's Jerry Freeman

Officers from the Keizer Police Department, Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory continue to investigate the incident. The residence will remain secured throughout this evening and the following days until officers serve a search warrant and process the crime scene for evidence. The Marion County District Attorney's Office, Deputy District Attorney Doug Hanson, and the Marion County Medical Examiner's Office are assisting with the continuing investigation. The manner and cause of death will be released by the Marion County District Attorney's Office after an autopsy is performed at the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, Kuhns said. The autopsy has not been scheduled at this time.

"Investigators believe this is an incident of domestic violence that ended tragically. No information is being released about any possible motive at this time. Peter John Zielinski has been at the Keizer Police Department all day and has been arrested. He is being charged with one count of Murder, however additional charges may be forthcoming as this investigation is not complete."

He says anyone having information about the victim, suspect or this incident that they feel could aid the ongoing investigation are asked to contact Detective Ben Howden at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3525.

Source: Keizer Police

Jerry Freeman is part of a new generation of dedicated news photographers who are entering the Internet news industry as a second career. He shares in common with many people the dream of becoming a visual journalist. Joining the Navy at an early age, and the Oregon Army Guard a few years later, Jerry has a wide range of life experiences. He describes himself as “an old truck driver with a new found passion to bare witness on the world’s events.” Teaming up with Salem-News.com he embarks on a new career as a video news photographer and reporter. Stay tuned, and see how it turns out. Jerry seems to exhibit natural talent and is already becoming a published member of the Salem-News.com team. You can send Jerry Freeman an email at this address: Salem-News@gravityshadow.com