Coos County Deputies Arrest Two Suspects in Brutal Johnson Mill Pond Murder Case

Two people have been arrested and charged with murder by Coos County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies following the discovery of the body of Larry Burkhow at Johnson Mill Pond on 12 March.

The following day, deputies arrested Elaine Warner (57) in Brookings, and on 15 March they arrested a second suspect, Michael Finley (60), near Langlois, an unincorporated Curry County community.

Yesterday, the two were in custody in Coos County Jail. According to court records, Warner is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree kidnapping, and one count of second-degree kidnapping. Finley is charged with one count of second-degree murder.

Following the discovery of Burkhow’s body in the county park between Coquille and Myrtle Point, an investigation determined that he had died because of homicidal violence.

The CCSO was assisted by the Oregon State Police, Coos Bay Police Department, Coquille Police Department, Myrtle Point Police Department, Curry County Sheriff’s Office, and Brookings Police Department.