Dr. Craig Jackson was killed at his home in North Bend, Oregon on August 2, 2021. (Screenshot via KEZI)
A popular Oregon doctor was killed in a violent fight at his home nearly two years ago. Police believe two men broke in and killed the beloved family doctor in a targeted attack. Now his ex-wife has been charged and arrested in connection with his murder.
Reina Gabriela Jackson, also known as Reina Gabriela Matute-Ruano, is charged with one count of second degree murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit second degree murder, for the August 2, 2021 murder of the Dr. Craig Jackson, 45, according to a press release issued by Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier.
The victim was found at his home in North Bend with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. Jackson’s wife told authorities that two unidentified men broke into the house, fought with the victim, fatally shot him and left, Eugene-based ABC affiliate KEZI reported.
“We believe there were three people involved in Dr. Jackson’s death,” Frasier said in comments reported by Roseburg, Oregon-based CBS affiliate KPIC. “We believe that Reina Jackson is obviously one of these death participants. The other two are male, and we have not been able to identify who they are at this point.
Craig Jackson’s family offered cash reward for information related to his murder; his colleagues remember him fondly.
“He was an important person in our community,” Bay Clinic CEO Elana Crane said in comments reported by Coos Bay-based CBS affiliate KCBY. “He had a large patient base. He was clinically very healthy. He was a hard worker. He was a partner in our firm. You know, you can never replace someone. You learn to live with a loss…and that’s kind of where we’re at right now.
Reina Jackson was more or less suspicious from the start.
In last week’s press release, Frasier said a nationwide warrant for the accused was issued “shortly after” her ex-husband was killed. It is believed that she fled the country and returned to her native Guatemala after the crime was committed.
“There were divorce proceedings between her and Dr Jackson. The divorce had been finalized…I mean 2016-2017,” the prosecutor told KPIC. “There were ongoing issues, however, with child care.”
The Coos County prosecutor’s office had planned to file a formal extradition request with Guatemalan authorities when Reina Jackson returned to the United States on her own accord, the prosecutor told KPIC.
“She returned to the United States, apparently unaware that there were warrants for her arrest, and she was apprehended in Atlanta, Georgia,” Frasier said. “Atlanta authorities have issued what is called a fugitive complaint. It will be filed with her in the courts of Atlanta.
The accused was arrested on June 14.
Reina Jackson is being held in an Atlanta jail, awaiting extradition to Beaver State, and has yet to be brought to justice.
The investigation into the late doctor’s ex-wife lasted nearly two years, the prosecutor’s office said, and included a task force made up of no less than 12 different agencies. The agency responsible for the case was the North Bend Police Department.
The defendant was also arrested on warrant for allegedly violating the terms of her probation when she left Coos County in 2021.
Frasier told Law&Crime that his indictment could not be released until he was arraigned and that until then “it is considered secret.” The prosecutor said he had no further comment on the case.
A neighbor who remained anonymous said he was satisfied with the progress of the Dr Jackson murder case.
“I’m glad they caught her, I really am,” they told KEZI. “I was curious when people were scouring the neighborhood for evidence that they never left any murders unsolved. And they indicated it might take a while. And I’m glad they did. finally caught up.
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