Detectives are investigating the death of Courtney Clinton, a 31-year-old Portland woman found dead in a car with her unharmed 1-year-old child. Her body was discovered early on Friday, November 1, in Vancouver, Washington, inside a rented silver Ford Edge parked on Blandford Drive. A passerby spotted her and called 911 at 4:30 a.m.
Clinton had injuries consistent with a violent attack, including a neck wound likely caused by a sharp object. No weapon was found at the scene, and police are treating the case as a homicide.
Officers found several items in the car, including Clinton’s bloodstained vape, wallet, receipts, and water bottles. However, her cellphone was missing. Blood samples were collected from the vehicle for analysis.
Detectives believe Clinton’s social media may hold key evidence. According to court records, Clinton’s friend said she often used social media and Facebook Messenger to communicate with men and would share her location with trusted friends if she felt unsafe. Police obtained a search warrant for her Facebook data to trace her movements and identify who she interacted with before her death.
Records show Clinton last shared her location with a friend on October 29 at 3:38 a.m., about three days before she was found. Surveillance footage captured her near her home in Portland earlier that same morning.
Clinton, a dental assistant, was also a mother of three, including an 8-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. Her sister, Dominique Fuller, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and support Clinton’s children.
Clinton’s death occurred nearly four months after her brother, Donte Mathis, was fatally shot in Portland. No suspects have been identified in Clinton’s case. Her toddler is now with family members, who, along with police, are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“This is such a horrible thing to do to a woman, a mother, and a child,” said Fuller. “We are praying for justice.”
Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Oregon through crimestoppersoforegon.com, the P3 Tips mobile app, or by calling 503-823-4357. The organization offers rewards of up to $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in unsolved felony cases.