Woman Found Dead Near Selma; 42-Year-Old Man Charged
Investigators say the woman was found in a remote area near Upper Deer Creek Road after a report of a gunshot wound; the suspect faces manslaughter and firearm charges.
SELMA, Ore. — A 42-year-old man has been arrested after Josephine County investigators say a woman was found dead in a remote area near Upper Deer Creek Road following a report of a gunshot wound.
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a 911 call on June 27 reporting that a woman had suffered a gunshot wound in the Deer Creek Road area of Selma. According to the sheriff’s office, the caller had poor cell service and ultimately lost signal before an exact location could be provided.
The reporting party later left the area and called again from another location, but attempts to re-contact the caller were unsuccessful.
Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers continued searching for the wounded woman, but were unable to locate her that day.
On June 28, detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Oregon State Police began investigating the incident. A sheriff’s office BLM deputy, assisted by two BLM rangers, resumed the search and located 57-year-old Veronica Marie Gray deceased in a remote area of Upper Deer Creek Road.
Investigators said they conducted multiple interviews during the initial investigation and identified Monty Ryan Breedlove, 42, as the primary suspect.
Breedlove was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of first-degree manslaughter and felon in possession of a firearm.
The sheriff’s office said Gray’s next of kin has been notified. No additional details were released Monday afternoon.
Cover image: Authorities say Monty Ryan Breedlove, 42, was identified as the primary suspect in a Selma homicide investigation and lodged on manslaughter and firearm charges after a woman was found dead in a remote area near Upper Deer Creek Road. (AI-generated image by ChatGPT)
