Remains of missing nurse Melissa Jubane found, neighbor arrested: Police
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The remains of a Providence nurse who reported missing after not showing up to work on Wednesday have been found and her neighbor has been charged with her murder, according to authorities.
Beaverton police say that as a result of an "extensive investigation," 27-year-old Bryce Johnathan Schubert was arrested on Friday and has been charged in the murder of 32-year-old Melissa Jubane.
Jubane, a nurse at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland, did not report for her morning shift on Sept. 4, "raising concerns among her coworkers, friends, and family," according to Beaverton police in a statement released overnight Saturday.
Investigators say officers responded to Jubane's apartment complex at 1050 SW 160th Ave. in Beaverton shortly after, where they were met by the apartment complex staff and searched her home.
"Melissa was not present, and her absence without communication was deemed unusual and alarming," Beaverton police said.
Police say officers' and family members' efforts to contact Jubane throughout the day on Wednesday "were unsuccessful, as her phone appeared to be turned off." Jubane's bank and credit card records also didn't reveal new information about her location. She was entered into national law enforcement databases as a missing person by Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement, Providence officials expressed their shock and heartbreak at the news of Jubane's death.
"Our hearts are broken at the news of the death of our Providence St. Vincent nurse and colleague, Melissa Jubane. This comes as a shock to us all and she is mourned by her co-workers. Melissa was an exceptional nurse, committed to our Providence Mission and daily demonstrating our values of compassion, excellence and integrity," a Providence spokesperson said in a statement. "We stand in support of her loved ones and those who worked so closely with Melissa. We appreciate all the expressions of concern from the community. Melissa was a person of Providence, and we will miss her."
About 100 community members showed up for morning and evening searches of the areas near Jubane's apartment complex on Friday.
“You hear about it and you see about it all around different areas around the world about missing people and when it’s someone that you really care about and you’re really close to, it just doesn’t feel real,” former co-worker Samantha Oregon told KOIN 6 News on Friday. “It’s like you don’t want it to be real.”
No other details were immediately available about the ongoing investigation, as Beaverton police say they "must withhold further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation." However, police are still inviting tips in connection with the case and ask those with information to call 503.526.2280.
Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.