Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives have identified the body of a woman found early Friday morning east of the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 about a mile north of Woodburn. The woman's name is being released in this update following next of kin notification. The investigation is continuing to determine if her death was related to a crime.
The woman is identified as TARA ELIZABETH GORDON, age 25, from Redding, California. She was identified following a tip from another law enforcement agency. Redding Police Department assisted OSP with next of kin notification.
GORDON's body was found June 29, 2012 at approximately 5:30 a.m. when OSP, Woodburn Police Department, and Woodburn Fire Department responded to a report of a possible body spotted off the shoulder of the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 near milepost 273. An autopsy determined the cause of death was from head trauma.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call OSP Northern Command Center dispatch. Phone calls in Oregon may be made to 800-452-7888. Calls outside Oregon may be made to (503) 375-3555. Email tips in this case can be sent to crimetips2OSP@state.or.us. Email tips will be monitored by the OSP Criminal Investigation Division, reviewed and then forwarded to the lead investigator(s) for follow-up investigation. Email tips should include specific details including the type of case and tip information. Even though tips may be received anonymously, email authors are encouraged to provide contact information for follow-up by the investigator(s), if needed.
