‘Fell to my knees’: Portland family reacts to arrest of murder suspect in Montana

Portland police announced the arrest of 21-year old Connor O’Brien in Montana on Monday. He faces charges in the murder case of Tiara Atencio, who was fatally stabbed in 2023.

Now that a suspect is in custody, Atencio’s family said they are breathing easier. Atencio’s sister Fenicia Damian told KOIN 6 News that Portland police called her yesterday afternoon.

“I just fell to my knees. And I was just thankful. I was just like, ‘Thank you, God,’” Damian said. “I felt relieved, I felt grateful, I felt just another step closer to the healing process of my sister not being here.”

According to Missoula police, their department worked alongside the Montana FBI to arrest O’Brien on Monday. He is now facing charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

O’Brien is at a Missoula County detention facility ahead of his extradition to Oregon.

As her sister’s case works through the judicial process, Damian said she plans to go to future hearings.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.