After Killing Four and Taking a Hostage, Man Faces Life in Custody Across the United States

Coos Bay, Oregon | June 18, 2021

Man Who Killed Four and Kidnapped Woman During 2021 Rampage Found Guilty Except for Insanity

In a case that has gripped Oregon with its disturbing details and deep legal implications, Oen Evan Nicholson, 32, of North Bend, has been sentenced to life under the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) at the Oregon State Hospital. The ruling follows a violent multi-state crime spree in June 2021 that began in Coos Bay and left four people dead and one woman kidnapped.

On April 14, 2025, Coos County Circuit Court Judge Martin E. Stone accepted a plea of guilty except for insanity, concluding Nicholson’s criminal proceedings and placing him in the custody of Oregon’s mental health system for life.

Chronology of a Crime Spree

Nicholson’s violent actions began on June 18, 2021, when he fatally stabbed his father, 83-year-old Charles Nicholson. He then took his father's handgun and pickup truck and proceeded to kill two vacationing pedestrians, 74-year-old Anthony Oyster and 73-year-old Linda Oyster, by intentionally running them over near the Mill Casino RV Park in Coos Bay. Linda Oyster later died from her injuries after being airlifted to a hospital in Springfield.

Nicholson then drove to the Herbal Choices dispensary in North Bend, where he fatally shot 47-year-old manager Jennifer Davidson. According to prosecutors, Nicholson had previously interacted with Davidson and, under the influence of paranoid delusions, believed she was a federal agent.

Kidnapping and Cross-Country Drive

Following the murders, Nicholson fled east on Highway 126 toward Eugene but abandoned his truck near Vida after it became inoperable. He then hitchhiked to Springfield where he encountered Laura Johnson during her lunch break in the parking lot of the Gateway Mall. Holding her at gunpoint, Nicholson forced Johnson to drive him north toward Canada. When they discovered the Canadian border was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Nicholson instructed her to head east across several states.

For 33 hours, Johnson drove through Washington, Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota until they reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There, Johnson persuaded Nicholson to turn himself in. He surrendered to Milwaukee police on June 20, 2021.

Mental Health and Legal Proceedings

Court documents reveal that Nicholson was suffering from schizophrenia accompanied by paranoid delusions. He believed his victims were agents of the federal government. A Coos County judge had initially found Nicholson unfit to stand trial in 2022 and committed him to Oregon State Hospital until he could be restored to competency.

Prosecutors detailed that Nicholson believed his father was an undercover federal agent, a delusion that drove his initial act of violence. He similarly mistook the Oysters and Davidson for government operatives targeting him. These delusions extended into his interactions with Johnson, whom he told about an implant in his tooth used to track him.

In Oregon, a finding of "guilty except for insanity" places the individual under the jurisdiction of the PSRB, which evaluates ongoing mental health and public safety concerns. The court has ordered that the board notify victims of any conditional release or changes in Nicholson’s custody status.

Legal Implications in Oregon

This case underscores several complex legal issues under Oregon law, particularly in the areas of wrongful death and personal injury. The intentional nature of Nicholson’s acts, even under severe mental illness, could give rise to civil actions by the victims’ families for damages arising from loss of life and emotional trauma.

In wrongful death cases, Oregon law allows family members to pursue compensation for loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. In Johnson’s case, her harrowing 33-hour captivity across state lines may raise issues of emotional distress and false imprisonment, also actionable under Oregon’s personal injury statutes.

Although Nicholson has been found criminally insane, civil liability may still be pursued under Oregon law. However, collecting damages may be complicated by the defendant’s mental health status and financial resources.

A Lasting Impact

The events of June 2021 left a deep scar on the Coos Bay community and beyond. Four individuals lost their lives in acts of violence that stemmed from untreated mental illness. The case also highlights the importance of mental health intervention, gun access restrictions, and public safety measures.

For those affected by violent crime or negligence, legal recourse may offer a path to justice and healing. If you or a loved one has been injured due to the actions of another, you may have legal options under Oregon law. The attorneys at Pacific Injury Law Firm offer free consultations and are available to help individuals understand their rights in cases involving wrongful death, personal injury, or abduction-related trauma. Call us at 971-277-3811 or visit our contact page to learn more.

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Sources:

• Haleigh Kochanski (opens in a new tab)