BEND, OR -- A man suspected of attempted murder, first-degree assault and kidnapping was found dead east of Bend Wednesday night. Bend Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office issued a "shelter in place" order while searching for the man in the area around Big Sky Park, east of Hamby Road. The notification sent to residents at about 8 p.m. said he was to be considered armed and dangerous. Just after 9:30, law enforcement found the suspect dead.

Thursday morning, Bend Police released the suspect's identity. John Davis, a 61-year-old Bend man, is believed to have stabbed two women before apparently taking his own life.

Officers responded to NW Kenwood Court just before 7:30 Wednesday evening. A woman reported her father stabbed her mother and 83-year-old grandmother, then left with the elderly woman in her car. Investigators say Davis took his mother-in-law against her will to his estranged wife's home on Kenwood Court. He then allegedly stabbed both women before taking off again with the elderly woman. 

At about 7:35 p.m. a Redmond Police lieutenant found the vehicle at Big Sky Park, where the man dropped the victim and drove off. The vehicle was then spotted in the Buckingham Elementary parking lot, where witnesses reported seeing Davis running through nearby baseball fields. 

With the help of multiple K-9 unites, police tracked Davis north of Big Sky Park, where he was found dead just after 9:30 p.m.

The two victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

 

 

Story updated at 10:40 a.m., 5/16/2024, with further details provided by Bend Police.