Jason Allen Garlinghouse, of Lebanon, faces a murder charge in the death of his estranged wife, Sparki Sue Garlinghouse, 35.
Garlinghouse, 33, was indicted Thursday, March 9, on a murder charge by a Linn County Grand Jury. If convicted, he could face life in prison. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 22.
The Grand Jury heard testimony from numerous witnesses throughout the day, according to a press release from the Lebanon Police Department.
At 7:05 a.m. on Feb. 15, LPD investigated a report that a woman had been shot at 928 Osprey Way, according to the Lebanon Police Department.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, Jason Garlinghouse called 911 to report that his wife attacked him and he shot her multiple times.
LPD Chief Frank Stevenson confirmed that Garlinghouse did call in the shooting to 911, but said the suspect did not confess and has not released a statement. Garlinghouse is lodged at Linn County Jail.
“When we arrived we had him come out and we took him into custody,” Stevenson said.
Garlinghouse was transported to the Lebanon Police Department, where he cooperated with the investigation, according to an LPD news release.
When officers arrived, they found Sparki Garlinghouse lying on the floor at the end of the front entry hallway near the kitchen and living room, according to the affidavit.
She had children’s backpacks and a set of keys clenched in her left hand. Her right hand was open with a large bread knife lying in it, according to the affidavit.
Stevenson said the couple has two young children, who were not home at the time.
LPD Detective Justin McCubbins was granted a search warrant for the residence, which multiple officers, deputies and members of the Oregon State Police Crime Lab assisted in serving.
A black semi-automatic pistol was on the kitchen island near where the body was located.
Eight spent casings were located – five near the body, two at the opposite end of the kitchen floor, and one on top of the refrigerator.
Officers observed at least four round holes in the back of the victim’s torso, according to police.
LPD took Jason Garlinghouse to the Police Department, where he was escorted to an interview room. A detective took digital photos of Garlinghouse’s body and did not observe any injuries. Garlinghouse was wearing a belt-attached gun holster.
Jason and Sparki Garlinghouse were in the process of divorcing and living in separate residences. They were scheduled for an early resolution conference on Feb. 24.
LPD had contact with the Garlinghouses at least six times since September regarding custody and other divorce-related issues, according to police reports.
Initially, four LPD officers responded to the scene on Feb. 14. LDP worked on the case late into the night with assistance from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, and the Linn County District Attorney’s office.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Lebanon Police Department Detective Division at (541) 451-1751, or via the MyPD app and/or LPD’s Facebook page.