Washington County Reopens 1994 Elderly Woman Murder Cold Case

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office in Oregon has reopened the 1994 cold case murder of 85-year-old Veta Hardebeck, who was found dead outside her rural Gaston farm. Originally believed to have died from natural causes or an accident, an autopsy later confirmed Hardebeck was the victim of a brutal homicide, with evidence indicating she was severely beaten and thrown through a kitchen window. The DA’s office received a $14,000 grant from the Oregon Cold Case Investigators Association and Brother’s Car Collection to fund advanced DNA testing and forensic analysis using modern technology. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown highlighted the significant advances in forensic testing since the original investigation, expressing hope that the new analysis will produce leads. District Attorney Kevin Barton emphasized the ongoing commitment to solving unsolved murders regardless of how much time has passed, underscoring the importance of justice for victims and their families. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information related to this or other cold cases to come forward with tips.