WASHINGTON COUNTY DA COLD CASE UNIT INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MURDER CHARGES IN 1994 UNSOLVED HOMICIDE - 08/05/26

HILLSBORO, Ore- Randall Joseph Gall, age 66, was arrested Tuesday, August 4, 2026, for the 1994 murder of 85-year-old Veta Hardebeck, of Gaston.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Negotiations Team facilitated the arrest at the defendant’s home in Gaston, Ore. on August 4, 2026, after a Washington County Grand Jury issued an indictment charging Mr. Gall with Murder in the Second Degree on Monday. He is currently held without bail at the Washington County Jail.

Ms. Hardebeck was found deceased in her home on February 16, 1994.  Investigators believe at the time of the homicide Mr. Gall lived on a neighboring property.  Despite a robust investigation in 1994, the case remained unsolved for over 30 years.

The Washington County DA’s Office Cold Case Unit conducted additional investigation on this case using specialized funding from a grant from the Oregon Cold Case Investigators Association (OCCIA) and Brothers Car Collection.  These additional resources allowed investigators to submit multiple items of evidence to a private lab for advanced DNA testing and analysis, resulting in this indictment.

The Washington County DA’s Office Cold Case Unit was founded in 2020 by federal grant funding.  Its mission is to investigate and prosecute violent crime cold cases that involve identified DNA associated with a possible suspect. The Cold Case Unit was formed in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and funded by the Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.  The grant funds two cold case detectives and a forensic consultant.

The DA’s Cold Case Unit has solved multiple cases over the past several years.  In March 2023, it solved the 1988 murder of Deborah Atrops, leading to the conviction of her husband, Robert Atrops, following a three-week jury trial.  In February 2026, it worked in partnership with the Hillsboro Police Department to solve the 1992 murder of Elizabeth Wasson by serial killer Cesar Barone.

“We are grateful to the Brothers Car Collection and the Oregon Cold Case Investigators Association for providing critical grant dollars to support advanced DNA testing and analysis,” said Washington County DA Kevin Barton.  “Using today’s science to solve yesterday’s crimes helps ensure we bring justice to victims, their families, and our community.”

Those with information about this, or any other cold case in Washington County, should contact law enforcement. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can submit a confidential tip.

This release is sent on behalf of the Washington County District Attorney's Office. Please contact them with any questions at 503-846-8671.

Deputies Arrest Gaston Man After Stand-off With Tactical Team (Photo) - 07/30/26

On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, shortly before midnight, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Forest Grove Police officers responded to a report of a man firing a gun at his residence.

As deputies and officers arrived at the 39000 block of SW Laurelwood Road, they learned that 35-year-old Neil Hektner is a convicted felon and is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Deputies and officers contained the area and requested assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) and Crisis Negotiations Unit (CNU) to resolve the incident safely.

While CNU was negotiating with Hektner, investigators applied for and were granted a search warrant.  After about two and a half hours, Hektner surrendered, and deputies took him into custody and transported him to jail. Hektner was charged with ten counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Thankfully, the Sheriff’s Office has not received any reports of anyone or their property being struck by gunfire.

Detectives Seeking Additional Victims After Man Arrested For Stalking Six People (Photo) - 07/29/26

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information after arresting a Hillsboro man for stalking multiple people. On Friday, July 24, 2026, deputies arrested 64-year-old Edward John Wilson after he followed a woman from a Beaverton business to her home and parked in her driveway. Her family was able to scare Wilson off and called 911.

While deputies were looking into Wilson’s history, they learned he had been reported for similar behavior multiple times over the past few months. Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit were then assigned to the case. Starting in April 2026, four other women had reported Wilson followed them as well. The reports were not initially connected as the locations were spread apart, covering Hillsboro, Aloha, and Forest Grove.

Detectives interviewed all of the women and learned Wilson’s pattern was to find a woman in the community, often at a business. Wilson would then follow the women as they drove home. Wilson would sometimes use his vehicle to park in their driveway or block their vehicles, and when confronted, he would drive away.

Detectives have identified two vehicles Wilson used to follow people. Most often, Wilson drove his 1977 Chevy pick-up, which was off-white with a distinctive all-red replacement front passenger door. The truck has an Oregon license plate of 9U8319. Wilson also drove a dark gray 2017 BMW X1 SUV, with Oregon license plate 421 KPD. Wilson had access to additional vehicles, including a U-haul pick-up truck.

Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Wilson for stalking five women and one child. On July 29, 2026, detectives arrested Wilson and booked him into the Washington County Jail on six counts of stalking. The investigation is ongoing, and based on surveillance video and other evidence, detectives know Wilson has followed other women from businesses. Wilson lives in the 800 block of SE 37^th Avenue in Hillsboro and targeted women across Washington County.

Detectives are highly concerned about Wilson’s behavior and would like to speak with anyone who might have been affected. Please call 503-846-2700 and reference case 50-26-10433 to speak with detectives if you have information.

Photos of Wilson, the 1977 Chevy, and the 2017 BMW have been included with this media release. Wilson’s photo has been released in accordance with Oregon law to help identify additional criminal activity.

Update: Deputies Locate, Arrest Hit And Run Driver (Photo) - 07/25/26

UPDATE: On Saturday, July 25, 2026, deputies identified the driver who hit a cyclist and left the scene. Deputies issued a criminal citation to 81-year-old Kathleen Priepke who lives in the Rock Creek neighborhood close to the crash scene. Priepke was arrested for failure to perform the duties of a driver when a person is injured, commonly referred to as hit and run. Deputies also seized the 2013 Ford Edge involved in the crash. The investigation is on-going.

ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE

On Friday, July 24, 2026, just after 4 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash on NW West Union Road and NW Neakahnie Avenue. A 74-year-old Beaverton man was riding his bicycle going east on NW West Union Road when an SUV driving west turned left in front of him and hit the cyclist.

A nurse was on scene and provided care for the cyclist who was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. The driver in the SUV did not stop and fled south on NW Neakahnie Avenue.

The inter-agency Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded to investigate. During the collision, the side mirror of the SUV broke off and was found at the scene. Deputies used that mirror to identify the suspect vehicle as a gray 2011 to 2015 Ford Edge.

If you can help identify the driver, vehicle, or witnessed it before or after the crash and have not yet spoken to deputies, please call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case 50-26-10430.

Missing Person Update: Ben Andersen Has Been Located - 07/15/26

This afternoon, with the help of the FBI Criminal Investigations Division and U.S. Forest Service out of Randle, Washington, a coordinated search located Ben Andersen near his last known location on NFD Road 25 in Skamania County. Ben was found with the Chevy Equinox he was driving at the bottom of a ravine. Skamania County Search and Rescue is assisting with Ben’s recovery, and his family has been notified of his death. Ben’s family has asked for privacy at this time.

We are grateful for the community support and for the partner agencies that assisted in the search efforts for Ben.

Original Alert:

Missing Person Alert: Benjamin “Ben” Curtis Andersen  

Deputies are seeking help locating Ben Andersen, 37, of unincorporated Washington County. Ben's last GPS location was on May 18, 2026, near NFD Road 25 near Mt. St. Helens in Washington State. Ben is believed to have been training for the “Bigfoot 200”, an extensive outdoor competitive race, and has not been heard from. Initial search efforts have been unsuccessful.

Ben is 6’ tall and approximately 210 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Ben was associated with a white 2025 Chevy Equinox with a Washington license plate of CST3509. The vehicle also has not been located.

If you have seen Ben or have information on his whereabouts, please call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or 9-1-1 if appropriate, and reference Ben Andersen and case number 50-26-8356.