On Saturday, a 24-year-old Oregon woman, Neilyann Ysman, was found dead with stab wounds at her home in Portland, where her five young children were present. Police have arrested 28-year-old S Mate Joseph, who is suspected of the murder, and have charged him with the crime. The children, all under six years old, were rescued and are unharmed, though the exact circumstances of their rescue remain under investigation. Police used explosives to open a garage door to access the children, as they were unsure if the suspect was still inside the home at the time.
Neighbors reported that the incident left them shaken and deeply disturbed by the violence that occurred in their community. Julia Mannthey, a local neighbor, expressed her heartbreak, stating, “They just looked numb to the situation, like they couldn’t process their emotions. Just so sad, I feel so bad for them.” Another neighbor, Shawn Lioyryan, described the police presence as alarming, as it was a neighborhood where she typically feels safe. “It’s scary, it’s very startling,” she said, noting that the heavy police activity was unusual for the area.
The Medical Examiner has confirmed the cause of death as a stab wound, and the manner of death is classified as a homicide. The suspect, Joseph, was booked into Clark County Jail on charges including murder in the second-degree domestic violence and burglary in the first degree. According to jail records, Joseph has open or pending cases involving bail jumping, failure to appear in court on a prior misdemeanor charge, and multiple counts of driving with a suspended license. Additionally, he has charges for violating a domestic violence protection order, assault involving domestic violence, and harassment in the context of domestic violence.
While the relationship between Joseph and Ysman, as well as the children, remains unclear, the case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence in Oregon and the dangers faced by families in such situations. The suspect’s legal history, which includes multiple incidents of domestic violence, underscores the severity of the case and the potential for escalation in such environments. As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the trauma of the event and the need for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies.