Sandy woman killed in family home

Man watches while his son allegedly shoots his mother with a large-caliber rifle

By Jim Hart

The Sandy Post, Dec 29, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

Michael S. Bighaus

/ Sandy Post

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A Sandy woman was shot and killed with a large-caliber rifle in her home Christmas Day, allegedly by her son, while her husband watched.

Michael S. Bighaus, 41, is accused of killing his mother, Vivian F. Bighaus, 66, at 56560 E. Fernwood Circle, in a heavily wooded area about 10 miles east of Sandy.

The suspect’s father, Phillip Bighaus, 67, was present at the time of the afternoon shooting Friday, Dec. 25, and was reported to be very emotional while he placed a 9-1-1 call. He told authorities his son left the home immediately after the shooting, taking the rifle with him.

Bighaus was the subject of an intensive search Friday afternoon and evening. Clackamas County sheriff’s personnel responded in force to secure a wide perimeter around the crime scene.

Because the suspect was reported to have fled with the weapon, all lanes of travel were closed until about midnight along a portion of Highway 26, with a detour established along Marmot Road.

Police said the closure helped ensure the safety of motorists and enabled law enforcement to conduct an efficient and thorough search of the area. Even though SWAT personnel moved through the area on foot seeking the suspect, he was not found during the holiday.

The crime scene was secured to ensure the safety of sheriff’s detectives and forensic technicians at the scene.

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