Presser of the Week: Portland Cold Case Unit, The Wheatley's

The Portland Police Bureau Cold Case Unit will be reinstated thanks to a grant.

In 2004, PPB formed a Cold Case Unit to use technological advances to review and investigate unsolved homicides dating back to the 1960s. Over the next 18 years, the Cold Case Unit reviewed more than 270 cases, clearing more than 50 of them. More than 30 individuals were charged with homicide-related crimes.

In 2022, the Cold Case Unit was disbanded due to the reallocation of resources in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, unprecedented retirements and resignations, and exponential increases in both homicides and gun-related crimes.

In 2023, PPB applied for and received a grant through the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). The $2.5 million grant will fund four detectives and provide $300,000 for advanced testing, including Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG). The Cold Case Unit will review not only unsolved homicides but also unsolved missing persons cases and unsolved violent crimes, such as robberies and assaults.

“I feel very fortunate that we’re able to bring back the Cold Case Unit,” Chief Bob Day said. Clearing unsolved cases will hopefully provide some closure for victims’ families. Work in this space can also reduce crime by apprehending prolific violent offenders.”

With hundreds of unsolved cases to examine, the Cold Case Unit will be tasked with prioritizing their caseload. The prioritization process will consider severity, with homicides being a priority. Violent crimes will be prioritized based on the time remaining under the statute of limitations.

One of those cold cases is from August 29, 1988, police responded to a welfare check at 2612 N. Holman, which the granddaughter of the occupants of that residence called in.

Police entered the residence, where they discovered the bodies of Robert Wheatley, 61, and Frieda Wheatley, 69, in the basement. The medical examiner determined the cause of death as strangulation. Detectives believe that the Wheatley’s died on August 27, 1988.

It is apparent from the crime scene that the motive was robbery. There was no sign of forced entry. The home was ransacked, and a television set, ATM card, credit card, and the Wheatley’s light green 1979 Buick Regal were stolen. The ATM and credit cards were used extensively in Northeast, North, and Downtown Portland before Wheatley’s bodies were discovered. The Buick was recovered in a Jantzen Beach Shopping Center parking lot a few days later.

Investigating Detectives believe that people in the community have information about this crime. 

Witnesses may contact Cold Case Homicide Unit investigators at (503) 823-0400. To remain anonymous, witnesses may provide information through Crime Stoppers of Oregon.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards for information reported to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime, and tipsters can remain anonymous.

Information about this case or any unsolved felony crime may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,500.

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/index.cfm?c=35696

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