Oregon City man who murdered and dismembered roommate sentenced to life in prison

Oregon City man who murdered and dismembered roommate sentenced to life in prison

OREGON CITY, Or. -- An Oregon City man who killed and dismembered his roommate was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in Clackamas County Circuit Court.

Jamon Peter Fritsch, 48, pleaded guilty last week to Murder in the Second Degree and Abuse of a Corpse in the First Degree.

Kara Taylor, 49, moved into Fritsch's Oregon City home with her severely disabled adult daughter several weeks before she was killed. Fritsch and Taylor were respiratory therapists and knew each other professionally.

Fritsch reported Taylor missing on July 27, 2023. Fritsch immediately became a suspect and Oregon City police believed he murdered Taylor prior to reporting her disappearance.

Using information from Fritsch's cell phone and video surveillance, police learned that Fritsch purchased zip ties, heavy-duty trash bags, a large tote, tarps, hair and grease drain cleaner and 42 ounces of Comet cleanser at Home Depot in the 48 hours after he reported Taylor missing. Investigators also obtained video surveillance of Fritsch disposing of items at an Oregon City landfill shortly after Taylor's disappearance.

Police obtained a search warrant for Fritsch's house at 221 Jefferson St. Using a chemical agent to detect the presence of blood, even when it's not visible to the naked eye, investigators found blood present on the bathroom floor, walls and bath tub and on a table saw in the backyard.

Investigators concluded Taylor's remains were likely at the Coffin Butte landfill in Corvallis, Ore. With the substantial assistance of Republic Services company that operates the site, investigators located Taylor's remains after a lengthy search.

Fritsch was subsequently interviewed by Oregon City police detectives and after being presented with the available evidence, admitted killing Taylor. He confessed to the crime in an Aug. 6, 2023 email to an Oregon City detective.

The case was investigated by the Oregon City Police Department with assistance from the Clackamas County Major Crimes Team. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorneys Sarah Dumont and Matt Semritc.