PORTLAND, Ore. -- A federal assistant public defender was found dead inside her Southwest Portland home on Tuesday, according to Portland Police homicide investigators.
Nancy Bergeson, 57, was found dead after an acquaintance informed police that her body was located inside her SW Hamilton St. residence, according to Detective Mary Wheat.
An officer responded and it was originally determined she died of natural causes. But an autopsy later revealed she died of homicidal violence
Few other details were offered, but Wheat did say Bergeson was not victim of domestic violence.
“Detectives right now are trying to determine what happened, looking at all the evidence, canvassing the area, talking to neighbors, and trying to determine what happened," Wheat said.
Neighbors describe the area as well established and full of professionals - not exactly the area one expects homicide.
“I hope it's not random because that would be the most disturbing, that somebody would randomly be killed; nonetheless, it's disturbing, it's only two doors down,” said neighbor Dave Grasser.
Bergeson had been with the public defender's office more than 18 years, according to Steven Wax, a colleague. He and other coworkers and friends were shocked at Bergeson's death.
Vernice Trease, a friend of 20 years and a state judge in Salt Lake City, said Bergeson was a mentor in the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association.
"Whatever it is that she thought was right, and was appropriate for her client, she stood up and advocated for them," Trease told The Oregonian.
Earlier this week, Bergeson defended Roy Bendshadler, 48, of Portland. He was convicted Monday of defrauding the government of more than $9 million in a tax-avoidance scheme that involved perparing more than 1,000 returns on the theory that compensation for personal labor is not taxable.
"I'm gut-punched sick because I lost my advocate," said Bendshadler, who planned to appeal. "She was a fighter. She risked sanctions by the judge when she repeatedly objected to the prosecution putting hearsay documents into the records."
Portland lawyer Lisa Maxfield said she and Bergeson shared a love of the outdoors, and Bergeson loved animals.
"I've never known Nancy where she didn't have at least one dog in tow," Maxfield said. "Sometimes two, sometimes three."
Anyone with information on the killing was urged to contact Portland Police Bureau.
(KGW Reporter Anne Yeager contributed to this report)
