FOREST GROVE -- Police have arrested a man for murder in a case made to look like a suicide by hanging.
Joshua David Nicholas, 36, was taken into custody Friday as he was released from the Oregon State Penitentiary where he served time for unrelated sentences, said Forest Grove Police Captain Aaron Ashbaugh.
He was accused of aggravated murder, which carries a potential death penalty conviction, for the Nov. 6, 2009 death of Lori Fitzgerald, 47.
She was found hanging by an orange electrical cord in her garage in the 2700 block of Sycamore Court, according to court documents obtained by KGW. At the time of her death, Forest Grove detectives were dubious that an actual suicide had taken place, Ashbaugh said.
According to the documents, "ligature marks on the neck (were) inconsistent with the current application of the electrical cord." Fitzgerald's head had injuries consistent with blunt force trauma and a large pool of blood was found near her on the floor. It was determined by investigators that the, "traumatic injuries to Lori Fitzgerald (were) inconsistent with suicide by hanging."
An investigation followed that included extensive work by the Washington County Major Crimes Team and the Oregon State Forensics Lab.
Police conducted a massive manhunt for Nicholas after the death of Fitzgerald. He had stolen, then abandoned an SUV. Authorities had warned citizens that he was considered armed and dangerous would rather get into a shootout than go to jail.
He escaped arrest until Nov. 23rd when he was taken into custody on a warrant for unrelated charges. U.S. Marshals arrested him after police tracked him through Cornelius and Hillsboro.
Nicholas was also accused Friday first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling involving physical injury; first-degree robbery by a felon in possession of a firearm, first-degree theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude police with a vehicle.
Nicholas has 45 prior arrests in his life.
He will be arraigned Aug. 30th.
