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Jeff Barnard / AP
Zhawen Wahpepah and August Haddick burn sage during a cleansing ceremony on Friday at a memorial for David Grubbs in Ashland, Ore. Grubbs was killed last weekend in an apparent random attack by a stranger wielding a sword or a machete.
ASHLAND, Oregon -- In this storybook town, murder is commonplace on the stages of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where sword fights are carefully choreographed entertainment, and the blood that spurts is fake.
The real-life slaying of a young grocery clerk nearly decapitated by an apparent stranger wielding a sword or machete has sent a shiver of horror through residents and visitors alike, and stumped investigators desperately searching for clues.
A small shrine is growing on the side of the bike path where 23-year-old David Grubbs was killed last weekend while walking home from work, the way he had countless times, just as darkness was falling. It's an open place next to a parking lot where the path goes through a park with ball fields and tennis courts — and past an elementary school — where parents bring their small children to play.
"I'm freaking out," said Zhawen Wahpepah, who came to the shrine Friday morning with her boyfriend, August Haddick, to burn sage and leave a booklet of music that she and Grubbs had played together as members of a school chamber orchestra. She added it to the candles, flowers, carrot cake, NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle, music CDs, photos, and lyrics from the song, "Stairway to Heaven." They were all carefully placed on the ground next to a green metal cross painted with the name David and driven into the ground.
"I think it was a thrill kill," said Wahpepah. Grubbs "was not into anything bad. He was just really shy and really nice," she added.
"I used to walk this way home, and now I don't anymore because of this," said Haddick, who worked stocking shelves at the Shop'n Kart grocery with Grubbs. Living in the same student neighborhood, they often walked home together, but the night of the slaying, Haddick's schedule had him working three hours later, so Grubbs walked home alone.
When Haddick drove by last Saturday night with a friend, the spot was cordoned off by police, blue lights flashing in the darkness. Haddick didn't know until the next day, when the "Rest in Peace" tributes appeared on Facebook, that Grubbs had been killed.
"It's hard to imagine it could just as easily have been me," he said.
Ashland is a liberal outpost in conservative rural Oregon. The town of 20,000 just a few miles north of the California border is known for good schools, good restaurants, high housing prices, and deer that walk freely through town. Many residents are happy to work at low-paying jobs serving tourists for the chance to live here.
"It's like this little paradise," said Brenna Heater, who knew Grubbs growing up and now works behind the counter of a downtown pizza joint. "The fairytale land is like the definition to us. I always use the word magical — our little magical Ashland. New people are coming here every day. The Shakespeare festival keeps this town upbeat and hip."
Police have little to go on. No one has come forward to say they witnessed the slaying. No weapon has been found. The 911 call came from a woman riding her bike down the path, who was stopped by a man who found Grubbs lying in the bike path. They initially thought Grubbs was passed out, but on looking closer saw the deep wounds around his head and neck, said Police Chief Terry Holderness. Investigators don't think either of them had anything to do with the slaying. The woman saw a man leaving the area, but didn't get a good look at him. Police have not found him.
"This community has very little crime of any type, especially violent crime," said Holderness. "To have this type of thing happen anywhere is very rare. We are contacting most major police departments up and down the West Coast looking for similar situations and haven't found any yet."
There was a machete attack about 100 miles north in the small town of Sutherlin, but police have ruled out any connection.
"Most homicide involves a person who commits the crime with some relationship to the victim," Holderness said. "This might truly be random, which is very unusual for this type of crime. It makes it more likely to put other community members at risk."
A random attack ending with near-decapitation is so rare that investigators have been unable to find an expert, Holderness added. There is not even enough information to develop a profile of the killer.
Friday morning, Jackson County sheriff's Det. Colin Fagan stopped by to look over the killing ground again, hoping that something new might catch his eye. He found a branch lying on the ground, which might have been cut by a big blade before being broken off. But the cut looked old.
Fagan stood in a bed of Oregon grape bushes where a killer might have hidden, looked behind a nearby shed, and examined trees for cut marks. Finding none, he drove away.
Leave a Comment:
Welcome to the "Kinder, Gentler" world of "Compassionate Conservatives."
If only People came before Mammon and Greed.
Heck of a job, Reichwing.
keep politics out of this, evil is evil.
What does this have to do with politics? As for the "Richwing" comment, apparently you failed at, or were too stoned to pay attention to your history classes. You may want to take a look a tad bit more to the left before throwing that word out.
I'm a liberal, and Mom is right: Whoever did this is a pure psycho, nothing else.
Yo, ClamChop:
"On May 2nd, 1933, the day after Labor day, Nazi groups occupied union halls and labor leaders were arrested. Trade Unions were outlawed by Adolf Hitler, while collective bargaining and the right to strike was abolished. This was the beginning of a consolidation of power by the fascist regime which systematically wiped out all opposition groups, starting with unions, liberals, socialists, and communists using Himmler’s state police."
Who knew the Left was against unions / collective bargaining? Say.. wait a sec. Isn't a prime meme in the GOP, Unions = bad? Scott Walker, anyone? Nazis = left? Outlawed unions / collective bargaining. Tell me again which end of the spectrum the GOP falls?
Next you'll claim Tojo was a Communist? Btw - the stoned comment was priceless. I'm guessing you think Refer Madness is a studious documentary on the effects of marijuana, correct? =)
i grew up in the ashland area and for the people who commented about the are being all magical and there is very little crime in ashland its time to stop taking the drugs you are on because guess what that area is big on crime and the drugs are so ramped there its not even funny. yes the area is very cool but over the last 40 plus years has become worse and only will get worse. i am a 2nd generation born and have seen so much, most of you have only been in the area for a short time but are to drugged out. here is the real story become clean and sober and you will see ashland for what it really is!!!!!
It's "reefer" and not ''refer" unless you're promoting insanity I guess.
The killer probably came from COMMIE-FORNIA anyway!!!
eanyandjr
Every area has crime. It is the "magic" of the place that will draw some of the unbalanced folk. They were there 40 years ago when I went to SOC and they remain today.
Drugs really don't have a whole lot to do with the killing unless the killer was already psychotic and some shrooms or LSD sent 'em over the edge.
Ashland is also the last stop before heading over the pass to CA on I5 and it is a good possibility a hitchhiker or other transient is responsible.
Question:
Do you know what the pass conditions were like when the crime happened? I haven't been paying too much attention to the weather down there. The picture looks like rain, been very cold?
Maybe they should reassess the quality of their schools.
Why?
What do the schools have to do with this?
The guy was walking home from work. There is no indication a student did this.
Sorry I should have specified referral to the post by eanyandjr, who grew up in the area, and the article's mention of the good schools.
Again the schools have nothing to do with the crime.
The story mentions the schools and restaurants are good along with several other positive identifying remarks to show that this is not a low income high crime area.
It really is a storybook town.
Old Victorian homes line the street. Lithia Park is picturesque and Historical. Mineral (Lithia water) fountains add a quirkiness. The Theater complex adds an Arts atmosphere. The University adds an intellectual quality.
There is nothing about this town that says your life is in danger.
I think eanyandjr is just trying to keep people away.
There is a HUGE tourist industry in this town few of those tourists are drug users, many are older.
True, college students take drugs, and there certainly is a counter culture draw to the town.
Most likely the killer was a transient. Ashland is on I5. It is the last town before going up the mountain pass to California. It is a natural stopping point and if a hitchhiker couldn't get a ride 2-3 hours south to Redding, CA he could spend a night or more there.
The mountain pass is steep and high and there might have been snow when the killing was committed keeping highway traffic to a minimum.
Never Stop Asking Questions - Your comments are rude and totally out of place. As a liberal, I find your comments doubly offensive! Please crawl back in the hole you came out of.
I second it!
I third it!
Rude, they were. I'm more offended by ignorance, hence my response to ClamChop.
The conservatives probably figured they had the town surrounded, so let's go clean 'em out.
This has nothing to do with politics. It has to do with these creatures that have gone nuts. If someone kills someone else that is simply crazy. God will deal with this creature. There are to many people out there that have no pride in the human race, they blame whether they are liberal or conservative which has no bearing on what has happened. Personally I am a human being and feel let down by anyone that doesn't see this as just plain evil. This young man did not deserve this cruel act as no one does. Our world has turned to the wrong side by blaming innocent people. Get on your knees and pray for your salvation as the Lord is coming soon and the evil will be terminated.
Leave to it to some Whack Job to kill an innocent man and upset the lives of these people.Catching this Dirty Piece of Crap, can't be to soon.
gloria, with a "small 'g'," you take yourself too seriously.
The people that do these things are either pathological Conservatives or de facto "psycopaths."
Unfortunately, the distinction is grey, at best.
Even Shakespeare would have found levity it the morbid irony...but, you must be "above all of that."
You are a pretty weird guy. How you manage to profile based on this information is beyond me. There was a sword involved (potentially), we might as well be looking for a Sikh. Go take your meds
I love Ashland.
The Tony award winning Shakespeare Festival has been around for over 75 years. They have expanded on the original outdoor theater and have a very nice complex.
Went to college there 40 years ago. Since then it has been discovered.
It is still a neat little town but has always drawn a huge counter culture group. Being a college, and arts town, drugs have always played their part.
Back in the 70's the story went Satanic rituals were held in Lithia park.
The old Victorian houses were often considered to be haunted.
There has always been a bit of underlying madness there, which added to the charm.
Unfortunately that quality may very well have attracted someone that is disturbed.
This story makes me very sad, Ashland is one of the special places in this nation.
Good grief, must every tragedy caused by a psychopath or mentally deranged person become political?
The world never seems to run out of sickos. Every creepy murder like this is a testimonial to the poor mental health system in the U.S.
I have spent some time in Ashland and it is filled with interesting people. It is a very nice place to live, but too far from SoCal for me!
I lived in Ashland for four years and used to walk my dog on that bike path all the time. Ashland used to be a place where you didn't have to worry about walking around town after dark or pretty much any time. It is sad that this would happen in such a pleasant and mellow place. Most of the people in that area are very conscious and peaceful. So sad.
Jonboy
Odd since so many SoCal folks have moved there. Several Hollywood types have homes in the area. That is one reason the cost of living has skyrocketed.
When I went to school there we rented a house for $80 a month - it had 5 bedrooms so we split it 5 ways.
This is the second story about murder I've read tonight where a bunch of idiots turn it to a political foray!!!! Shame on you all you that even mentioned politics in commenting on this story. Neither conservatives nor liberals are responsible for this kind of criminal behavior. This was the work of an evil human being; one that must be caught and punished.
These vicious people live in a world of their own. Occasionally they will focus on a celebrity or politician to get attention, to become famous themselves, but nobody is safe from these self obsessed, violent killers. No political party and no president is responsible for these monsters, and no political party or president can stop them so forget about that train of thought.... yes, O is Pres. now, but who was Pres. when this person was born? Or went to school? Or whatever... It's just particularly sad when the victim is reported to be a kind, friendly well liked person, famous or not.
I'm afraid the political slant comes straight from the pen of the author that wrote this story. Jeff Barnard, who says "Ashland is a liberal outpost in conservative rural Oregon ". It's obviously just not much of a job to be a reporter these days , so every reporter wants to take a shot at the political arena. However, I have lived in Oregon since 1986 and nothing is farther from the truth. Oregon is quite liberal from the north to the south. Conservatives like to think that they are all snug and cozy in a conservative nation. This too is a grand misnomer, our Nation although pretty much sold down the river over the last 30 years by corpratists, is actually full of thinking compassionate and kind folks, for the most part, who get married, have jobs , live and die for the sake of life and living, not just to see who can amass the most wealth or possessions. As a political party the republicans have had nothing to do with the actual meaning of the word conservative since Nixon.
An Oregonian from Merlin
Was born here and I agree Southern Oregon has become quite liberal. Most of that is because of the many people that came to the area from California.
It is East of the mountains you run across the conservatives and even in the East side towns like Bend and Sisters are liberal.
@never stop being a fukstik,, why would you say that?
This young adult would still be alive if he had exercised his right to defend himself - it is not only our right, but our duty to defend ourselves, and prevent needless deaths like this young mans, simply because the psychpaths out there have no soul, and do not care who's lives they destroy.
This SOB should be lying on that ground, not this innocent young man. The reality is, we will see more of this, especially when things start getting really rough, economically. So, MAN-up folks - Get a firearm, and learn how to use it. The life you save may be your own, or someone you love !!
You suggesting he pull out his sword too?
Agree Doc. A sword is no match for a 45.
Those of you who believe that Oregon has "Conservative" rural areas, are obviously not familiar with the solid blue political map of the Beaver state. Oregon's rural areas are filled to the brim with loggers, mill workers, California ex-patriots and hippies. Not one red flag among them. I'm amazed that the source of this story is trying to slander conservatives, and Oregonians alike.
This young adult would still be alive if he had exercised his right to defend himself - it is not only our right, but our duty to defend ourselves, and prevent needless deaths like this young mans, simply because the psychpaths out there have no soul, and do not care who's lives they destroy.
This SOB should be lying on that ground, not this innocent young man. The reality is, we will see more of this, especially when things start getting really rough, economically. So, MAN-up folks - Get a firearm, and learn how to use it. The life you save may be your own, or someone you love !!
Maybe the residents of this little piece of paradise should think about carrying a 9 MM pistol with hollow points. I'm sure a gun is a good defense against any machete.
Not if you're attacked from behind. The poor man probably didn't even know what happened to him.
You and Doc Art have no idea what went on here, and yet you both are judging the victim of being guilty of his own death.
JA
Of course if the killer has a gun it really doesn't matter in this kind of case.
Then there is the very real possibility he would now also have your gun unless you walk around with your gun drawn and ready all the time.
Sounds pretty paranoid to me.
If you are carrying, you may or may not be able to get your gun out to fend off a sword/machete attack. But, you will have a better chance than without the gun. And, your chances of getting it out and into use are better if you practice, practice, practice; which is what you should be doing anyway if you are carrying.
A gun can help you when you are at home and you see or hear something suspicious.
Or if you are out and about and witness a crime being committed.
In a situation like this the most likely outcome is; the psycho now has your gun and a sword.
Never Stop Asking Questions: You are a disgusting individual. Don't know who you are and quite personaly I would not want to. There a number of "fruitcakes" that post on these news blogs, but You are beneath all of them. Lord... I fought in two wars to make sure you had that right... What was I thinking. If you haven't gotten the message here, I'll state it clearly . WE DON"T LIKE YOU. You are below dirt.
BTW::: Have a Nice DAy
Ditto.
I am horrified and saddened by the murder. We've had "thrill kills" here in Bend, and there just isn't any rhyme or reason to them. I hope that David Grubbs' family will have the help and support that they need at this time, and that the murderer will be caught quickly.
As for a concomitant part of the news article--
Low-paying service jobs are about the only ones there are in Oregon; most people are happy to work them, because the alternative is to have no job at all.
Unless you bring your own employment with you, or are independently wealthy, don't bother moving to Oregon.
Use a machete, you are an evil person, and need to be caught and punished! Same person uses a firearm now WE NEED GUN CONTROL!!!!! Were are the bladed control people?
Here's what people often forget: The most dangerous animal that walks the Earth, is a man with nothing to lose. It is very obvious that the idiot with the big machete, had nothing to lose by taking the life of a stranger. If he ever gets found, then he shall have food and shelter for a time I'm sure, at the tax payer's expense. It's a shame that he will be allowed any sunlight. But then after the fact finding and trial is complete, then he should die; both as reimbursement for his food and shelter, and also to pay for his sins against that innocent grocery clerk. It is the poster boys like this one, that give good reason for the death penalty. Don't ask me why such a scourge of society be allowed to appeal. But sadly, that's just how our legal system works.
Nothing to do with politics; nothing to do with the bent of the town, either right or left; nothing to do with guns, either the lack thereof or the abundance thereof; nothing to do with God, the devil, or Black Friday. Aberrations exist. Some people kill, most don't; some people enjoy inflicting pain, most don't; some people really don't know what they're doing, most do. The mathematical probability of the killer/victim scenario increases as the population increases and as the mobility of the population increases. Sad but true.
They are big on using machetes to hack people to death in Africa. Anyone see a black man roaming the streets that day? Just wondering.
precious logic. I guess you do not expect anybody to think you are serious. sometimes it is advisable to keep your hands off the keyboard when you are thinking through the hole in your head.
What is wrong with you people, did he have some kind of political bumper sticker on his a**.
Am going to stick with the subject at hand here, and not go into politics, etc. Such a heinous, evil crime to a poor, innocent victim. Too many sick people wandering the earth. I certainly hope the authorities find this perpetrator and bring them to justice!! Am praying for the victim and family. I cannot even begin to imagine what the family, friends and town are all going through, there in that peaceful town of Ashland...
I used to live in Ashland, and walked that very path often with my dogs. One of my good friends worked with David, and I know he bagged my groceries or helped me find something in the grocery store more than once. I no longer live in Ashland, by choice, but am very saddened by this event. Those of you who write about this part of Oregon as a liberal outpost and have no other social reference to say other than hippies, ex-pats and hollywood types are wrong. There are hard working people here, and no, we are not all mill workers or liberals. David's death is a sad comment on our 'violence as the norm' lifestyles that is portrayed in the media. Violent movies, games, and the apparent acceptance of domestic violence is such a different world than the one I grew up in. There was a drive by shooting 3 blocks from my house about 3 weeks ago (Central Point), non-related. The kids that were shot were not known by the shooters. Wow.....in my neighboorhood?? And now Ashland too? Another shooting in Talent this past weekend. Sad, sad, sad.....
I'm not sure that anyone has said Ashland has no hard working people.
The Hollywood types and retired Pro Athletes have raised the home prices astronomically.
It is much the same problem in NE Washington. Microsoft millionaires have purchased second homes in the area and the people born, raised, and working in places like Twisp can't afford to live there.
Yes, Ashland has always been liberal, nothing wrong with that. Just as Pendleton is conservative, nothing wrong with that either.
I lived in Central Point too, sorry to hear about the shootings. These things will happen as our society has become more and more mobile.
Central Point has grown since I was there to be just a suburb of Medford. Population brings more drive-by shooting crimes.
I can hear it now... "Pardon me, mister knife/sword/machete wielding maniac. Would you please stand right there and don't attack while I dig my gun out of my purse/pocket/holster? Thank you ever so very much." I am far from being a liberal. Far, far. But I am also 46 years old, grew up in a big city but now live in a very rural area, and have never held or fired a gun. I've also never been attacked by anyone with a weapon. I think I'll take my chances. I don't know that a gun would have helped this young man.