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Body found
The body of David Michael Grubbs is found within minutes after he died by a passerby on the bike path. Police from multiple agencies secure the site and tell residents to take precautions while walking in secluded areas and to maintain a heightened sense of awareness. “If this is a random act of violence, then it’s probably less safe,” Ashland police Chief Terry Holderness said. -
Crime scene scoured
Investigators from Ashland, Medford, Phoenix and Talent police departments and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department pull more than 24-hour shifts examining the crime scene where Grubbs’ body was found and providing increased presence on the bike path. “We can’t have an officer on every corner,” Holderness said, “but we’re doing everything we can to prevent a reoccurrence.” People bring flowers and memorial items to the spot where Grubbs last stood. -
Rare violence
In an effort to calm fears, police and others report that Ashland’s violent crime rate is low. Comparing the first six months of 2010 to the first six months of 2011, the city’s violent crime rate — which includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault — fell by 50 percent, from 18 to nine, the latest report shows. -
Autopsy results
Gruesome details released Autopsy results confirm Grubbs was the victim of a homicidal attack that nearly decapitated him. Investigators don’t know yet what type of weapon was used but say, “One would think sword, but there are a lot of those types of weapons ... a large knife, or a machete could have done it, and there are many other types of martial arts weapons." -
Memorial fund
The David Grubbs Memorial Service fund is established at the Rogue Valley Federal Credit Union. Within a few days, more than $1,000 in donations are made to account number 1515937. -
Thanksgiving
Chief Holderness says the holiday won’t slow down police work on the investigation into Grubbs’ death: “We’re working straight through … until we find out who did this and prosecute them." -
Donations at Shop 'n Kart
Donations pour in for murdered Ashland man At the Shop ‘n Kart in Ashland, where Grubbs worked off and on since he was 18, customers have been filling change jars and donating money with their purchases, raising more than $10,000 for Grubbs’ memorial service. A family representative said, “We are absolutely grateful and so thankful for what the community is doing ... It’s amazing to see.” -
Memorial service
In David's Name VIDEO: Community reacts A memorial service for Grubbs is held at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland. -
Skateboard-owner search
Police chase hundreds of leads Investigators discovered a bicycle helmet with black hammers hand-painted on the front of it and a worn red-bottomed skateboard with dark wheels in bushes. They call a news conference but later announce that the two young boys who stashed the items are not suspects . -
Crime Stoppers reward
Crime Stoppers of Southern Oregon establishes a reward fund for anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest in the Grubbs case.The reward is $1,000, but community members are invited to contribute by sending a check to the Medford Police Department, 411 W. Eighth St., with attention to Ruth Cox. -
Community forum with police
VIDEO: Forum Q&A 'How safe am I in Ashland?' At a forum in the Ashland High School gymnasium, Ashland police, the mayor and a therapist explain to 500 people the investigation. Police withhold details to ensure witnesses are legitimate and in consideration of family members. -
Petition to light bike path
Brittany Hamer, 23, of Ashland, who said Grubbs was one of her best friends, collects hundreds of signatures on a petition to place lighting along the length of the bike path. “This could have been prevented,” she said. -
Memorial tattoos
Marked by tragedy The victim’s mother, Cherie Grubbs, sister Rachell, and eight others get a tattoo of the asterisk Red Hot Chili Peppers band logo that tattoo artist Kay Boak had given Grubbs.Cherie Grubbs said she wasn’t nervous before getting the tattoo: “I’m pretty much numb to everything right now." -
Assault suspect apprehended
Assault suspect questioned in Grubbs case Yreka police find a decorative sword belonging to a man they apprehended but Ashland police later determind the man is not a suspect. -
Survelliance video
Ashland police want to talk with three unidentified people they’ve determined through surveillance video were on the Central Ashland Bike Path between Hunter Park and the Clay Street overpass just before Grubbs’ body was discovered. -
Forensic anthropologist arrives
Top forensic specialist to work on Grubbs case Steven Symes, a forensic anthropologist based in Erie, Penn. who specializes in sharp-force trauma with an expertise in saw and blade marks on bone, will arrive in Ashland to examine Grubbs’ wounds. -
Investigation time and cost
Grubbs murder investigation tops $27,000 Detectives say they have followed more than 600 tips, talked to more than 300 people and reviewed hundreds of hours of video surveillance footage during the investigation. The number of detectives working the Grubbs murder case has dropped from 14 to eight. -
$150,000 to light the bike path
Ashland City Council to consider bike path lights City officials will examine the cost and feasibility of installing lighting along the Central Ashland Bike Path, after being presented with 1,726 signatures on a petition at the City Council Tuesday night. Compact fluorescent lights along 21/2 miles of the bike path would cost about $150,000. -
Still seeking possible witnesses
Witnesses still sought in Grubbs case Investigators are still hoping to speak with two people on the bike path near the Mountain View Cemetery around 5p.m.on Nov. 19. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous message on the tip line at 541-552-2333. -
DNA swabs have ruled out many of the blades turned in to police
Weapons tested in Grubbs case Ashland police are on their second lap of interviews in the Grubbs murder investigation, and could begin receiving evidence back from the Oregon State Police crime laboratory by the end of next week. -
Second reward set up by family, community
Second reward fund set up in Grubbs case A second reward fund is one idea out of nine submitted by citizens to Ashland Mayor John Stromberg for how the city should respond to the murder. -
Murder top story in Ashland
Top 10 stories in Ashland for 2011 The year in Ashland closed on a tragic note that left many residents feeling uneasy after 23-year-old David Michael Grubbs was murdered along the Central Ashland Bike Path. -
Mayor talks about murder in State of the City address
Mayor: Community working as a team In his annual State of the City address, Mayor John Stromberg spoke about the unsolved murder: "We don't know yet what the resolution will be. The resolution may be no resolution and living with uncertainty." -
Still waiting for forensic results
No breakthrough yet as experts study evidence in Grubbs murder Detectives are in contact with Steven Symes, a forensic anthropologist based in Erie, Pa., who is examining evidence he collected during a second autopsy of David Michael Grubbs in early December. Ashland police don't know when Symes plans to finish his analysis. -
Forensic evidence to police
More blades ruled out in Grubbs case Although police still haven't named a suspect, Chief Holderness said the negative results from the crime lab mean detectives can start crossing more people off their list and narrowing down the possibilities for naming a suspect. -
More safety tips
APD offers safety tips Shortly after 23-year-old Grubbs was killed, the Ashland Police Department issued a list of 23 safety tips for residents to keep in mind as police work to solve the crime. -
Still no suspect
Much of the Grubbs case evidence analyzed; still no suspect Most of the important pieces of evidence that Ashland police sent off to be analyzed by forensic experts fhave been returned to local detectives, but with limited help toward solving the crime, police said. -
Reward approved
City Council approves Grubbs reward fund The City Council voted to set up a public reward fund for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of whoever murdered David Grubbs. -
Reward fund hits $10,000
Grubbs case reward fund hits $10,000 A little more than $10,000 is waiting in a public reward fund for anyone who can provide information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the murderer. Another $5,000 expected from an anonymous donor today. -
3-month anniversary of the murder
Has the Grubbs murder changed you? Life has changed in Ashland since the murder of David Michael Grubbs on a busy bike path. Some people won't walk the path. Others say they considered carrying a gun. -
Cost of the investigation nears $100,000
Cost of Grubbs case nears $100,000 The Ashland Police Department has spent about $75,000 investigating the brutal murder. The Oregon State Police, Jackson County Sheriff's Department and Medford Police Department have contributed about $24,000 worth of overtime hours to the investigation. -
Song composed for David performed
Requiem for David Grubbs SOU Compositional and performance music major Tye Austin held a recital and introduced q piece dedicated to Grubbs called Song Cycle No. 2.
