A Friend, A Sheriff, & A Murder: Who Killed Eric Tamiyasu?

PNW Haunts & Homicides

On June 30th, 2001, in the quiet town of Hood River, locals would be saddened by the discovery of Eric Tamiyasu’s body in his rural home. But nothing could prepare them for the shocking realization that would come just a day later following his autopsy. He had been shot three times in the head, his body left undisturbed in his bed for nearly a week prior to the gruesome discovery. There were no signs of forced entry and nothing was stolen. It appeared that whoever entered his home that night had one purpose—murder. On the day his body was discovered authorities made an inexplicable decision: they burned Eric’s mattress before determining his cause of death. Whether this was an act of negligence or the intentional destruction of evidence remains a point of controversy. The case, which seemed solvable in its early days, quickly became muddled by speculation, rumors, and lost forensic opportunities.
Three main suspects emerged, though some speculate about a potential fourth. A business partner accused of embezzlement. A supposed close friend who knew more than he should have. A sheriff whose involvement in the case raised serious questions. There was even talk of a romantic rivalry, one that could have turned deadly without Eric even realizing. With each revelation, the mystery surrounding Eric’s death seemingly only deepened. Despite being featured on Unsolved Mysteries, no arrests have ever been made, and his family continues to seek justice. Was this a crime of passion, a financial dispute turned deadly, or something even more sinister? As we unravel the timeline, the evidence, and the missteps in the investigation, one thing becomes clear—someone knows the truth about what happened to Eric Tamiyasu.
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