Son of Murdered Keizer Couple Charged in Double Homicide Along With Second Teen

Although both suspects are 17-years old, the crimes they have been arrested for are Ballot Measure 11 offenses.

(KEIZER) - On Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 11:28 p.m., members of the Keizer Police Department responded to 4826 Ventura Loop North after receiving information an alarm had been activated at the residence. While enroute to the location, officers learned there was a male subject inside the residence who reported he had been shot. Medical personnel from the Keizer Fire District were dispatched to the location while the initial responding officers attempted to make contact with the gunshot victim and render the scene secure. The first officer arrived on scene within two minutes of receiving the call. In addition to the responding Keizer officers, officers from the Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist.

Upon making entry into the residence, officers located a deceased adult female who appeared to have been shot. The adult female victim has been identified as 44-year old Michelle Yvonne Pearson. It appears Michelle Pearson died as a result of being shot, however the exact cause of death will not be released until an autopsy has been performed by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. The time and date of the autopsy has not been scheduled as of the time of this media release.

Michelle Pearson resided at 4826 Ventura Loop North in Keizer with her husband, 57-year old Wilfred “Bill” Pearson, and their 17-year old son, Brett Pearson.

Officers also located a second victim, Wilfred “Bill” Pearson inside the residence. He, too, received serious gunshot injuries and underwent treatment for them at the Salem Hospital earlier this morning. Mr. Pearson is expected to survive.

There were no other persons located inside the residence when the officers arrived. The investigation identified two suspects, 17-year old Brett Pearson, and a friend of his, 17-year old Robert Daniel Miller II. Both suspects had left the residence in a vehicle prior to the officer’s arrival.

At approximately 1:00 a.m. members of the Salem Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect vehicle driving on River Road North in Keizer. A traffic stop was made on the suspect vehicle near the intersection of River Road North and Juedes Avenue North. Officers made contact with Brett Pearson, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, and took him into custody at that time without incident.

Investigators learned the second suspect, Robert Daniel Miller II, had checked into a hotel located in Salem. Officers made contact with Robert Miller at the hotel and he was taken into custody without incident.

The Keizer Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident at this time. No information about possible motive or other details about this incident are being released. Further information will be released by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office as they deem appropriate.

Both suspects will be transported to the Marion County Correctional Facility. Although both suspects are 17-years old, the crimes they have been arrested for are Ballot Measure 11 offenses. Ballot Measure 11 mandates that 15, 16, and 17 year olds that are charged with specified offenses are automatically charged as adults in circuit court. Both suspects will be incarcerated and arraigned at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex located at 4000 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem, Oregon on Friday, March 7th at a time that is yet to be determined.

The Keizer Police Department is being assisted by members of the Marion County Homicide Assault Response (H.A.R.T.) Team, and the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone having any information about this incident or the subjects who are involved is asked to contact Keizer Police Detective Ben Howden at 503-390-3713 Ext. 3525 or by email at howdenb@keizer.org.