Colorado Man Arrested After Remains of Missing Woman Found in Oregon Storage Unit

Denver, CO — A grisly discovery in an Oregon storage unit has led to the arrest of a 59-year-old man in Colorado, unraveling a chilling cross-state mystery that has shocked both communities and left investigators searching for answers.

Authorities announced late Sunday that John Everett, a Colorado Springs resident, was taken into custody following the identification of human remains found last week in a storage facility outside Portland, Oregon. The remains were confirmed to belong to 41-year-old Melissa Grant, a woman reported missing nearly six months ago.

Police say the case has all the elements of a dark thriller — a missing woman, a suspect living in another state, and a body hidden in a locked storage unit nearly 1,200 miles from where she was last seen.

“This is one of the most disturbing and complex investigations we’ve faced in years,” said Detective Sarah Coleman of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. “We are piecing together how a Colorado man and a missing Oregon woman crossed paths, and how her remains ended up hidden for months in such a brutal manner.”

The Discovery

The chain of events began when staff at Rosewood Storage in Gresham, Oregon, reported a foul odor emanating from one of their units. When the renter failed to respond to repeated calls and payment was overdue, management obtained a court order to open the space. Inside, deputies discovered a large plastic container sealed with duct tape. What they found inside shocked them: human remains in an advanced state of decomposition.

“It was immediately clear this was no accident,” said Sheriff Marcus Hill. “The way the remains were concealed indicated an attempt to hide a crime.”

The coroner’s office quickly confirmed the remains matched the description of Melissa Grant, a Portland resident who vanished in April. Grant was last seen leaving a friend’s apartment, telling others she planned to meet someone she had recently connected with online. She never returned, and her car was later found abandoned near downtown Portland.

The Arrest

The discovery of Grant’s body reignited the investigation into her disappearance. Detectives traced the storage unit’s rental agreement to a man using an alias. Surveillance footage and bank records led them to John Everett, who had been living quietly in Colorado Springs for the past two years.

Federal marshals and Colorado Springs police arrested Everett outside his home on Friday morning. He was taken into custody without incident and is currently awaiting extradition to Oregon, where he faces charges of murder, abuse of a corpse, and unlawful concealment.

“Everett believed distance would protect him,” said Detective Coleman. “But evidence has no borders. The trail led straight to him.”

A Troubling Past

Court records reveal Everett has a troubling history, including prior arrests for domestic violence and stalking in the late 1990s. Though never convicted of a major felony, he was known to law enforcement as a “repeat offender with escalating behavior.”

Investigators now believe Everett and Grant met through an online dating site earlier this year. Friends of Grant said she had mentioned talking to a man from Colorado who “seemed charming but secretive.”

“She thought she had met someone special,” said friend Jennifer Albright. “We warned her to be careful, but none of us could have imagined this.”

Community Shock

The grisly discovery has left both Portland and Colorado Springs communities stunned. In Portland, where Grant lived and worked as a graphic designer, neighbors described her as creative, kind, and deeply loved. A small memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes has appeared outside her apartment building.

“She lit up every room she walked into,” said neighbor Carla Jensen. “To know her life ended this way — it’s unbearable.”

In Colorado Springs, residents expressed disbelief that Everett, who kept a low profile in the neighborhood, could be linked to such a horrific crime. “He was quiet, mostly kept to himself,” said neighbor George Whitfield. “We never suspected something like this. It’s chilling.”

Investigative Challenges

For investigators, the case is far from over. They are working to establish the full timeline of events between Grant’s disappearance in Oregon and Everett’s arrest in Colorado. One major question remains: why was her body left in a storage unit so far from Everett’s home?

Some detectives speculate that Everett may have used frequent work trips as cover, transporting Grant’s remains across state lines in an attempt to distance himself from the crime. Others wonder if Oregon was chosen deliberately because of his past ties there; records show he lived in Portland briefly in the early 2000s.

“We are still connecting the dots,” said Sheriff Hill. “Every new piece of evidence adds to a disturbing picture, but we are committed to uncovering the truth.”

National Attention

The case has already attracted national attention, with crime experts weighing in on cable news programs and social media buzzing with speculation. Many point to the dangers of online dating and the importance of vigilance when meeting strangers.

“This is a tragic reminder of the risks people face when they put trust in someone they barely know,” said criminologist Dr. Rebecca Lawson. “Predators often exploit those seeking connection. That’s what makes these cases so heartbreaking.”

Moving Toward Justice

As Everett awaits extradition, Melissa Grant’s family is left to grieve. In a statement released Sunday, her parents described their daughter as “a bright light extinguished far too soon” and thanked law enforcement for their persistence.

“We prayed for her safe return,” the statement read. “We now pray for justice.”

A vigil is planned for later this week in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square, where friends and supporters will gather to honor Grant’s memory. Organizers say the event will also serve as a call for greater awareness of missing persons cases and the importance of community vigilance.

“This case has shaken us to our core,” said Albright, Grant’s friend. “But we will not let Melissa be forgotten. She deserved so much better, and we will fight until justice is served.”