80-Year-Old Oregon Man Tells 911 He Shot His Partner During a Domestic Violence Altercation

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — An 80-year-old man from Wimer is lodged in the Jackson County Jail after the death by shooting of his domestic partner in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Norman Henry Chapman contacted 911 at 12.35 a.m. He said he had shot 59-year-old Onalea Clay during a domestic violence altercation.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the rural Rogue River residence in the 1900 block of Sykes Creek Road. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

According to the JCSO, Chapman was in a domestic relationship with Clay, who notified her next-of-kin about her death.

Chapman was charged with second-degree murder after he was examined by doctors at a local hospital to determine his health.

Tidings Timeline
  • June 27, 12:35 a.m. : Chapman calls 911.
  • Shortly after : Deputies respond to Sykes Creek Road.
  • At the scene : Chapman is taken into custody without incident.
  • Afterward : Chapman is cleared at a hospital.
  • Now : He is lodged in Jackson County Jail.

He is lodged in the local county jail. No further information is available at this stage.

The crime scene was processed by the Oregon State Police Forensics Lab. The JCSO investigation was assisted by the Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Major Assault Death Investigation Unit, and the Medford and Ashland Police Departments.

Tidings Context
Major death investigations often bring in outside detectives, forensic specialists and partner agencies to process evidence and support the lead sheriff’s office.
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