Photo: Portland Police Bureau
Portland police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the 2009 cold case murder of an assistant federal public defender.
Christopher Alexander Williamson was arrested Friday in the killing of 57-year-old Nancy Bergeson, who was found dead on November 24, 2009, inside her southwest Portland home.
Police would not comment on what led to the arrest of Williamson or the motive behind the slaying.
“Portland Police Bureau Homicide detectives worked tirelessly over the past nine years, investigating every lead,” according to a Portland Police Department press release. “This remains an ongoing investigation.”
Bergeson’s family issued a statement praising the “tenacious work of law enforcement.”
“Even though it has been 9 years, Nancy continues to have a tremendous presence and positive influence in the lives of many people,” the family said. “For the first time in many years, we carry a hope that there will be answers and justice.”
Christopher Alexander Williamson.Portland Police Bureau
According to thePortland Oregonian, investigators believe that Williamson may have had some association with Bergeson outside of her work.
The Oregonianreportedthat in 2012 cold case detectives discovered an unidentified person’s DNA among the crime scene evidence, citing a Portland Police Bureau report. It is not clear if that evidence was later linked to Williamson.
At the time, Williamson, then 19, lived in southwest Portland, the paper reported.
“We expect a charging decision this afternoon,” Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Brent Weisberg tells PEOPLE.
According to theOregonian, Bergeson’s death was initially considered natural but after an autopsy, the state medical examiner’s office determined she was strangled. At the time, there was no suspect information and very few clues as to what happened to Bergeson.
Williamson was booked into the Multnomah County Jail Friday on one count of murder. His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
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After her death, the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (OCDLA) created the Nancy Bergeson Ardent Advocate Lecture Series.
Anyone with information about Bergeson’s murder is asked to contact the Portland Police Bureau Homicide Detail at 503-823-0479.
source: people.com
