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Label:
Press release
A Hazelwood Neighborhood death investigation has led to an arrest of a suspect, who is now facing a murder charge.
Published
On Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 11:44 p.m., Portland Police Officers assigned to East Precinct responded to a welfare check request on a man believed to be in an apartment in the 12000 block of East Burnside Street. Officers discovered Johnny Alexander, 47, deceased inside the apartment. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to conduct a death investigation and took custody of the body.
On August 7, the Portland Police Homicide Unit was notified of some suspicious injuries that were not initially seen, and detectives launched an investigation. That investigation revealed that Alexander likely died on August 1st. Further investigation led them to the identification of a suspect, Kenneth A. Lacey, 37. Detectives worked with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office to apply for an arrest warrant for Lacey, which was signed.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner determined that Alexander died of homicide by stab wounds. Alexander's family has been notified of his death.
On August 17, East Precinct Officers located and arrested Lacey at Northeast 122nd, Avenue and Northeast Oregon Street. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on an arrest warrant for Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
If anyone has information about this case and has not already talked to police, please e-mail homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 26-228121.
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