Woman found severely beaten in NW Portland dies; Suspect faces murder, DV charges

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - A woman who was found with life-threatening injuries after an assault in Portland’s Old Town last month has died and the suspect is now facing murder charges, police said on Saturday.

On the evening of May 22, 44-year-old Rebecca Lange was found lying on a sidewalk at Northwest Naito Parkway near Northwest Glisan Street, after she had been beaten with a blunt weapon. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition where she ultimately died on Wednesday, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

Police are investigating the assault as domestic violence.

The assault suspect was arrested by tactical police units later on the night of May 22 and identified as 64-year-old Roberto Velasquez of Portland.

After Lange died, Velasquez was indicted on Friday by a Multnomah County grand jury on three charges, all related to domestic violence:

• Second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Unlawful use of a weapon

Detectives are continuing to investigate and asked anyone with information, witnessed the assault or who has video footage from the area to contact Portland Police. Case No. 26-148225.