Woman thought husband might kill her, Oregon officials say. Then she’s found shot dead

A man is going to prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting his wife in front of her apartment, Oregon officials said.

In April 2023, Portland officers responded to an apartment complex and found April Newcombe Cripe, 28, shot dead in front of her unit, according to a Sept. 12 news release by the Multnomah County District Attorney.

“A beautiful woman with so much to give. Such a helpful soul in so many ways. I’ll forever miss her,” a family member wrote on Cripe’s obituary.

Cripe lived at the apartment complex with her two kids, and they were found inside the unit, officials said.

Eventually, police turned to Adam Jamal Burns, Cripe’s husband and father of her kids, the district attorney said.

Cripe had said she was worried Burns might kill her or have her killed, prosecutors said. He had also been seen hanging around the apartment building in his car in the days leading to her death.

A car matching the description of Burns’ car was seen leaving the complex minutes before 911 was called, officials said.

“April was a beautiful woman filled with sunshine to anyone she touched,” a GoFundMe page said. “April was an outstanding mother.”

The gun used in the shooting was recovered and found to be connected to Burns, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors didn’t specify what led to the shooting.

Burns, 30, was sentenced to 23 years in prison, the release said.

This story was originally published September 13, 2024 at 9:59 AM with the headline "Woman thought husband might kill her, Oregon officials say. Then she’s found shot dead."