Vehicle used by man wanted in family’s deaths found at airport

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — A stolen vehicle linked to a man whose wife and three young children were slain in Oregon was found Sunday at San Francisco International Airport, the FBI said.

Christian Longo, 27, is accused of killing his wife and children and dumping their bodies into two Pacific Coast inlets near the towns of Newport and Waldport, Ore.

A warrant for his arrest was issued Dec. 28, and he is the subject of a nationwide manhunt. Police have not revealed a possible motive for the killings. But they say Longo, who owned a construction cleaning company in Michigan, had faced a multitude of legal and financial problems.

Longo was last seen in San Francisco on Dec. 26, according to District Attorney Bernice Barnett in Lincoln County, Ore.

The stolen Dodge Durango believed driven by Longo was found Sunday morning in an airport parking lot, said FBI spokesman Andrew Black.

Police Officer Roy L. Heavey said investigators found a parking receipt in the car dated Dec. 26 and others receipts dated between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27.

Officials were unsure whether Longo took a flight or simply left the car there. Black said all flight logs and area hotel registers were being reviewed.

Police believe Longo may have been using the vehicle as a base, driving another car to and from the airport.

Evidence found in the vehicle indicated Longo had been using the aliases Jason Joseph Fortner and John Thomas Christopher and three different birth dates. Police would not give specifics about the evidence.

"My feeling is that with the security in place now at the airport it would be difficult to get bogus ID in such a short time," said San Francisco Police Sgt. Lawrence Ratti. "I think it would have been difficult for him to take a flight out."

Police had been searching for a vehicle with Michigan plates reading "KIDVAN" but the car they found had its original Oregon plates. When officers ran the plates, they discovered it was wanted in connect with a homicide.

The body of Zachary Michael Longo, 4, was found floating two feet from shore in a coastal inlet near Waldport on Dec. 19. Three days later, the body of his sister, Sadie Ann, 3, was found in the same shallow inlet.

On Dec. 27, divers found the bodies of the children’s mother, Mary Jane Longo, 35, and younger sister Madison, 2, at a Newport marina.

The family had moved to the Newport area from Ypsilanti, Mich., about three months earlier, police said.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Firefighters respond to a 911 call on July 16, 2024, in Mill Creek. Firefighters from South County Fire, Tulalip Bay Fire Department and Camano Island Fire and Rescue left Wednesday to help fight the LA fires. (Photo provided by South County Fire)
Help is on the way: Snohomish County firefighters en route to LA fires

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused at least 180,000 evacuations. The crews expect to arrive Friday.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River. Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council approves water, sewer rate increases

The 43% rise in combined water and sewer rates will pay for large infrastructure projects.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Everett Municipal Building on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project

The Port Gardner Storage Facility, in the works for more than a decade, will help prevent overflows of the city sewer system.

Two students walk along a path through campus Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. A group of nearly 20 community groups are planning to study how to make it easier for young people to find jobs. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The organizations hope the months-long process will improve access to resources for young people.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.