Update-Clark County Sheriff's Office Investigating A Reported Burglary That Led To Apparent Suicide
-05/22/25
Update 5/22/25 5:10 pm
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigations related to the April 23, 2025, incident.
The death investigation has been determined to be consistent with suicide. There is no evidence of foul play.
A separate investigation into allegations of sex offenses involving a juvenile found probable cause that Charles Gardiner committed the crimes of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor in the First Degree, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Possession of Depictions of a Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. Investigators believe the inappropriate relationship had been ongoing for approximately six to nine months.
At this time, there is no evidence to suggest there are additional victims.
Due to Gardiner’s death, the case is being closed by exceptional clearance. To protect the privacy and well-being of the juvenile victim, no further details will be released.
Update 5/1/2025 2:00pm
The Clark County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the death and the circumstances regarding this incident. In the initial release, it was believed that deputies responded to a residential burglary. The caller had discovered Gardiner in the residence and got into a physical altercation with him before he fled. There is no indication that there was a residential burglary. The Sheriff's Office has split the incident into two investigations, the death investigation and a criminal investigation.
Evidence from the death investigation involving Gardiner is consistent with a suicide.
The Sheriff's Office has opened a criminal investigation into several sex offenses believed to have been committed by Gardiner against a juvenile victim.
Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, additional details cannot be released at this time.
Update 4/25/2025 9:15am
The Clark County Sheriff's Office can confirm that the deceased person in this incident is Charles Gardiner, the Interim Chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating this case, including the circumstances of why Gardiner was in the residence.
Due to the nature of this investigation, additional details cannot be released at this time.
Additional updates will be released when more information is available.
On April 23rd, at around 9:43 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to a report of an occupied residential burglary in the 9000 block of NE 79th Street in Northeast Vancouver. The caller reported a male subject inside the residence. The male subject fled the residence on foot.
As deputies and other law enforcement officers searched the area, they located a vehicle with a deceased person inside matching the subject’s description. Evidence suggests the individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The CCSO Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.