Suspect Arrested In The Murder Of A Northwest Portland Woman
Portland, OR – A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder related to the beating death of a woman inside an apartment at Northwest 18th and Hoyt Street.
During the course of the investigation, Homicide Detectives identified a suspect, Louis J. Chlumak, 51, of Portland. They shared information within the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and other area law enforcement.
On Thursday, September 10, 2026, at approximately 3:20 p.m., members of Oregon State Police located Chlumak in a vehicle driving on Interstate-5 near milepost 236. They stopped and arrested him. PPB Detectives took custody of him and he was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
The victim, identified as 63-year-old Vernetta Fish. was dead in her apartment on Wednesday. Her family has been notified of her death and requested privacy at this time. The medical examiner determined that she died of homicide by blunt force trauma.
The Portland Police Bureau is grateful for the assistance of the Oregon State Police.