News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Sheriff's Office arrests murder suspect in Sandy

Posted: Dec. 25-26, 2009

Photo/sound file: Michael Scott Bighaus

SANDY -- On Friday, Dec. 25, 2009 at 3:15 p.m., Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies were summoned to a reported shooting incident at a residence on E. Fernwood Circle, approximately 8 miles east of the City of Sandy in rural Clackamas County.

Responding deputies soon learned the identity of the shooter believed responsible for the shooting death of a 66-year-old female victim at a residence on E. Fernwood Circle. The suspect allegedly shot the victim with a large-caliber rifle and immediately fled the scene of the shooting incident on foot, still armed with the weapon.

After the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office completed all family notifications , the deceased shooting victim was publicly identified as Vivian Faye Bighaus, age 66. She resided with her husband of 44 years, Phillip Bighaus, age 67, at their home at 56560 E. Fernwood Circle in Sandy.

The victim, Vivian Faye Bighaus, is the mother of the suspect -- identified as Michael Scott Bighaus.

Deputies learned that at the time of the shooting incident on E. Fernwood Circle, the residence was occupied by a total of three individuals: Vivian Faye Bighaus, Michael Scott Bighaus, and Phillip Bighaus, who contacted Clackamas County Dispatchers.

Michael Scott Bighaus, age 41, was described as a transient, and has been known by family to camp in the vicinity of E. Fernwood Circle in the Sandy area. Bighaus was last observed wearing a BB-Cap, a red sweater with a large star, and blue jeans. Bighaus is physically described as a white male, 6', 160 lbs., with short brown hair, hazel eyes and a slight beard.

Michael Scott Bighaus is a Clackamas County Corrections client and has an existing misdemeanor arrest warrant for absconding. He has prior arrests for Driving Under the Influence, Burglary and Criminal Mischief.

A family member reports that Bighaus has a mental disorder, and is believed to have not been taking his prescribed medication for his existing condition.

Sheriff's Office personnel responded in force to secure a wide perimeter around the crime scene. Because Bighaus had reportedly fled the residence with a large-caliber rifle, deputies closed all lanes of travel along this portion of State Hwy. 26 to help ensure motorist safety and to enable law enforcement to efficiently conduct an immediate and thorough search of the area.

SWAT personnel moved through the area on foot seeking the suspect. The crime scene was also secured to allow Clackamas County Sheriff's Office detectives and forensic technicians access to the scene for processing. Oregon State Crime Lab forensic technicians were also alerted, and were expected to respond to the scene to aid in the death investigation.

Understandably, Phillip Bighaus was very emotionally distressed, and told deputies that he and his wife were looking forward to a cruise soon and has been happily married for 44 years. Phillip Bighaus said his wife worked as a skilled and kindhearted Nurse Practitioner.

At 5:50 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, 2009, Sheriff's Office investigators reported that the suspect had been apprehended without incident.

Shortly before 6 a.m. on Friday, deputies were conducting surveillance on the Bighaus residence / crime scene. Investigators reportedly apprehended suspect Michael Scott Bighaus as he returned to the crime scene. Bighaus was described as compliant to deputy demands, and was arrested without further incident.

Bighaus was transported by deputies, and was expected to be lodged soon in the Clackamas County Jail on a murder charge.

Sheriff's Office personnel were expected to return to the crime scene on E. Fernwood Circle later in the day (Friday, Dec. 26) to continue this investigation.

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Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office