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Summary: Ian Richard Olson, 18, a cancer survivor from St. Helens, was fatally shot during a robbery at a Motel 6 in Portland, Oregon, on Dec. 21, 2018. Authorities said 15-year-old Jeremiah Terrel Hannon robbed and killed him, later pleading guilty to second-degree murder and receiving an eight-year juvenile sentence.
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PORTLAND, Ore. — An 18-year-old who had recently overcome lymphoma was killed in a Northeast Portland motel room, authorities said, marking a tragic end to a young life marked by resilience.
Ian Richard Olson, of St. Helens, was discovered deceased shortly after 11 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2018, inside a room at the Motel 6 on Northeast Holladay Street, according to Portland police. A housekeeper entered to clean and found Olson's body, prompting an immediate response from officers who secured the scene and launched a homicide investigation. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office ruled the death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Family members described Olson as a fighter who had battled two forms of lymphoma and received confirmation of remission just one week earlier. His mother, Lynn Hanks, called him her greatest source of pride, noting his love for BMX riding, video games, and hip-hop music. Relatives said he was in Portland that day for reasons unrelated to any criminal activity, emphasizing his kind nature and recent health victory.
Investigators determined the shooting stemmed from a robbery that escalated into violence. Police identified 15-year-old Jeremiah Terrel Hannon as the perpetrator following a probe that linked him to the crime through evidence and witness statements. Authorities said Hannon targeted Olson, robbed him, and fired the fatal shot before fleeing. No direct eyewitnesses to the gunfire were reported, but motel staff and nearby guests provided details on unusual activity around the room that morning, including sounds of a brief struggle, per police accounts.
Hannon's arrest came in March 2019 after detectives connected him to additional offenses, including an assault on a MAX train passenger days after the killing, where the victim suffered a broken jaw. Prosecutors charged Hannon with two counts of murder and robbery in juvenile court. In November 2020, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, receiving an eight-year commitment to a juvenile facility, with potential detention until age 25 under Oregon youth offender guidelines.
The case sparked community outcry in St. Helens and Portland, with residents expressing sorrow over Olson's lost potential and frustration at lenient juvenile sentencing for violent acts. Friends and family held vigils, sharing stories of his humor and determination, while advocates called for reforms in handling young suspects in serious crimes. Police urged anyone with further information to contact detectives, stressing the incident as part of a broader pattern of youth-involved violence in the area.
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Police identify man found dead in hotel room as 18-year-old from St. Helens
Teen arrested in Motel 6 killing also beat up man on MAX days later, police say
Teen motel slaying victim was in cancer remission
Teen who killed cancer survivor gets 8 years in juvenile facility
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