UPDATE: Suspect Arrested Related to Murder of Woman in Northwest District Neighborhood

A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder related to the beating death of a woman inside an apartment in the Northwest District Neighborhood.

During the course of the investigation, Homicide Detectives identified a suspect, Louis J. Chlumak, 51, of Portland. They shared information within the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and other area law enforcement.

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, at approximately 3:20 p.m., members of Oregon State Police located Chlumak in a vehicle driving on Interstate-5 near milepost 236. They stopped and arrested him. PPB Detectives took custody of him and he was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

The victim was identified as Vernetta G. Fish, 63, of Portland. Her family has been notified of her death and requested privacy at this time. The medical examiner determined that she died of homicide by blunt force trauma.

The Portland Police Bureau is grateful for the assistance of the Oregon State Police.

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

One Woman Deceased in Apartment in the Northwest District Neighborhood

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 12:32 p.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to Central Precinct responded to a report of a possible assault in an apartment in the 600 block of Northwest 18^th Avenue. Portland Fire & Rescue responded and found a deceased adult female in the apartment.

The suspect or suspects left the scene before police arrived and no immediate arrests were made.

The Portland Police Homicide Unit is responding to the scene to investigate. During the investigation, Northwest Irving Street is closed between Northwest 17^th Avenue and Northwest 18^th Avenue, and Northwest 18^th Avenue is closed between Northwest Hoyt Street and Northwest Irving Street.

If anyone has information about this case and has not already spoken to police, please contact detectives at [email protected] or call 503-823-0479 and please reference case number 26-264223.

The cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner.

The PIO is not responding to the scene. Additional information will be released when appropriate.

###PPB###