Police Search in McMinnville May Have Led to Discovery of Christopher Lampkin's Body

(MCMINNVILLE, Ore.) - The remains of a Salem man named Christopher Lampkin who has been missing since April 2006, may have been discovered on a farm on SW Oldsfield Road in McMinnville this week.

Information released today by Prosecutor Courtland Geyer confirms that a warrant, served by Salem Police, was related to the ongoing investigation into the murder of Christopher Marcus Lampkin, though he says a positive identification has not been made at this point.

The residents of the property told reporters that they were surprised by the arrival of police officers who searched the property.

Geyer says an autopsy was conducted today at the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, and that the results of the autopsy determined that the human remains were those of a male who died of homicidal violence.

Family members told KPTV News that they believe the body is that of Christopher Lampkin may have been found in a barrel on the McMinnville farm on Monday, a day earlier than police and the Marion DA indicated.

Christopher Lampkin was first reported missing by his parents in June 2006, and police said information at that time indicated foul play may have been involved.

Police issued an alert on June 21st 2006, seeking information on the location of the 24-year old. His parents say past involvement with meth was probably behind his disappearance.

Christopher was last seen at approximately 3:00 PM that day in April 2006 on Ruge St. in West Salem, in a dark green four door sedan.

Christopher was considered missing under suspicious circumstances and police indicated early on that information surfaced indicating that foul play was involved. His family described his extended disappearance as highly unusual and they feared the worst. Christopher Lampkin missing person

During the course of the investigation, Salem Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says information was revealed led them to believe Lampkin had been killed in Salem by 25-year old Leonardo Garcia Gonzalez of Salem.

That trial is set to begin in Marion County Circuit Court on November 5th, 2007 at 8:30 AM.

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oscar daul October 31, 2023 4:15 am (Pacific time)

this is so sad rest in peace man

oscar daul October 31, 2023 4:14 am (Pacific time)

this is so fucking sad, rest in peace man

Nick Lampkin September 1, 2023 5:56 pm (Pacific time)

Thinking about you brother, hope your doing good up there 👆🏼

Ines April 19, 2022 12:07 am (Pacific time)

I miss you.

Ines April 19, 2022 12:06 am (Pacific time)

Happy birthday up in heaven my friend. I shared my favorite picture of you on social media today. I miss you and I hope your making God laugh up there.

Christopher's Mom April 1, 2022 2:57 am (Pacific time)

Christophers birthday will come and go again in a few days. It's been several years now but my heart still breaks for what was done to my Son. It always will. I don't know if any one still reads these posts. I know I shouldn't, but a can't help myself. I just want to say to those who defend the Gonzalez's, it is right that they should be punished for what they've done. You haven't lost them. You will see them again. The last time I saw Chris, I saw what they did!

Me family May 13, 2017 1:40 am (Pacific time)

We still miss you so much your with grandma an no you guys are looking down on us an talking about good times I love you guys an miss the smiles an jokes

anon October 6, 2016 10:28 am (Pacific time)

https://youtu.be/sZJ7xWTLQqY Just found this video posted 3 days ago. 2016. Wait for it but Christopher is mentioned.

thorud April 16, 2012 7:02 pm (Pacific time)

i know it's a little late chris, but i love you and you were the best cousin a kid can ever have, playing gta san andreas, throwing frisbees, and "jumping over cars" has been the best times in my life spending them with you. RIP christopher. i miss you :'(

Nobody December 27, 2010 7:39 am (Pacific time)

My friend Kelsey Jones had Leonardos G. and his names Leo hes a beautiful lil boy its sad that hell never be able too see his son ever....RIP Chris and too chris's family I'm sorry for your loss! and Too Leonardo and Victors family I'm also sorry...

Tyler June 15, 2010 1:16 pm (Pacific time)

This is truly devastating. Chris and I were good friends in high school. We used to skip class to go play basketball in the gym. No drugs, no alcohol.....just basketball. After high school, Chris and I lost touch along with a few other people who we used to hang out with. I lived in West Salem for a little and I would run into Chris from time to time. I remember him working at a 7Eleven. I could tell he was battling some personal demons and he would invite me to parties. I never did go with him because I was always afraid of what they were doing. I knew Chris personally and I am very sorry for his families loss. RIP Chris, you were a good dude! God Bless Tyler

Anonymous February 20, 2010 8:20 pm (Pacific time)

Nobody deserves death nor nobody deserves to sit in jail for the rest of their life. I'm sure he has family waiting for him to come home and for all you know he may have children or new neices or nephews. You people are being just a cruel and thinking you are any better.. What you think you will enter heaven to see him again when you can't even forgive the person who did this?? Not a chance. People make mistakes were all human. I'm sure God has forgiven him and I'm pretty sure he won't burn in hell.

Anonymous October 3, 2009 7:18 pm (Pacific time)

either way, victor and leonardo are still my family,no i cant even imagine what you are going through, but YES we have lost them as well. victors children now have to grow up without their father and if you didnt know, they are are 5 and 6 yrs old. ofcourse they will see him again when he gets out,but they have lost someone they truly loved, for many years to come. im not saying to feel sorry for them, but we too have lost 2 family members. we all still love both of them very much! btw, NO leonardo is not getting treated badly in there! oh yeah, WHO are you calling a crackhead? they may have sold drugs but they were in NO way crackheads! everyone who knows the people involved, knows who the drug abuser was..

Heartbroken September 30, 2009 6:59 pm (Pacific time)

I think of Chris everyday. I met him through a friend, and we became very close. We were on the verge of dating when he disappeared. I told him he should stay away from those types of people. Although, I have since moved on with my life, I love him dearly. He will truly be missed.

christina chris aunt September 15, 2009 7:30 am (Pacific time)

we will never forget what happen to chris. he was very loving an cared about his family. i hope that no one to go throgh what my family went through. ya leonardo in prison but you all have to think he is alive.if there a god or a way his life will be hell the whole time there.the law needs to chang to what it was befor for murder so maybe we all need to stick together an pray it would go back. let people do to them what they did to victim

Miss June 11, 2009 1:25 pm (Pacific time)

I recently found out that I was related to one of the men involved in the murder. I am very sorry to all of those effected. I am very sorry to hear that this happened to Chris. RIP Chris.

christia May 17, 2009 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

ur family is no affected u still have that no good crack head we lost chris but he still here ihope leonardo wakes up everyday thinking what the day gongto bring him.an see r face and chrs face lookg at him an if hre a way justice will still be one best and believe that. cso get tht how u chris had alt of friends an i no justice sill ca be done behid prison doors u mig be oin whati doing rip so thik bout that

cristina May 16, 2009 6:27 pm (Pacific time)

so u think leardo will come home i hope he dont ever come back n if there agdhe wont mke it outof prison udont no wht lss is until ur familygoes thrg wha we have iprayno one will go through that i hoe every oe get what they should get i hear leonardo beengetting every hing that should come to him s i gues there s a god i love u chris ur aunt will keep writing about this rip sweet hear

gonzalez March 4, 2009 12:39 am (Pacific time)

the family of Leonardo and Victor is also affected by this,we lost loved ones as well, but i know they will come home one day, and i am truly sorry that this happened to Chris.

christina February 8, 2009 2:44 pm (Pacific time)

i hope every one keep up on this storey then we might be able to change the murder law i love u chris ur aunt

love February 1, 2009 8:06 am (Pacific time)

chris was a loving guy that would do anything for any one. did not matter if he did not no you.he loved going to his grandma eating her home made gravy an biscuits. she would make that all the time for him.i know chris is still here wiyh us he will allways be here with us at times i will look at his pic an talk to him crazy ha.up dates will be given rip my nephew we love u rip grandama says she loves u

christina January 30, 2009 3:46 pm (Pacific time)

im christopher aunt. chris will always be loved an miss. people needs to change some of the sistem in oregon. how can some one get 45 to life for what leonardo did he should get what realy comming to him every one of them an the family on the farm should be doing time alsoshooting then cut some one up in pieces i hope to got justice in prison will be done to each of them we love and miss u chris rip see u again in heaven love ur family

love January 30, 2009 11:03 am (Pacific time)

im chris aunt we will rip when this done i hope they all rot in hell for what the3y did

Lorraine November 5, 2008 9:31 pm (Pacific time)

Curmudgeon- whoever you are..if you have direct information about either of these cases you should report it directly to the police departments involved in the investigations!!!!

Lorraine June 15, 2008 7:19 pm (Pacific time)

This is very sad and heart breaking RIP. Atleast, now that they caught him, he will finally get Justice.

Nick Lampkin April 22, 2008 11:37 am (Pacific time)

miss ya brotha.. =[ I got a little bit of you here with me though.

Cheryl September 22, 2007 3:52 am (Pacific time)

Chris, I spoke with your uncle tonight, he is sad, because you were his best friend. I hope your family get closure from the case. RIP

Anonymous September 6, 2007 5:04 pm (Pacific time)

well I think DA office keep bones on file,and records too!

michele September 6, 2007 2:03 pm (Pacific time)

i am so very sorry about the familys loss, i hope they can find closure.

M September 6, 2007 12:45 pm (Pacific time)

This is heartbreaking... RIP Chris

Curmudgeon September 6, 2007 11:33 am (Pacific time)

The case of missing person Billy Mills seems very similar to this situation. Has there been any progress on that case. They might just find him in a barrel also.

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