Bend, Oregon – a tranquil city of scenic rivers, pine forests, and low crime rates. For the town’s 10,000 students, campus security guards are supposed to be reassuring, a friendly presence on quiet streets. But in the summer of 2016, one such familiar face would become the face of horror.

Kaylee Sawyer, a 23-year-old dental assistant and Central Oregon Community College student, disappeared on July 24th, 2016. What began as a simple disagreement with her boyfriend after a bachelorette party spiraled into one of the most chilling crimes in recent Oregon history. What the town didn’t know was that Kaylee’s disappearance was only the beginning of a crime spree that would terrorize multiple states.

Life Before the Disappearance

Kaylee grew up in Bend, part of a large, blended family, and was an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. At 23, she balanced work as a dental assistant with classes at COCC. She lived near campus with her boyfriend of two years, Cameron Ry Hofer.

On the night of July 23, Kaylee dressed in a black dress and brown boots to attend a bachelorette party downtown. She carried a distinctive green purse, a detail her friends would remember tragically. After hours of dancing, she texted Cameron to pick her up. The couple argued briefly on the drive home. By 12:14 a.m., Cameron suggested she take a walk to cool off – a routine she had done countless times.

By 12:30 a.m., Kaylee had vanished. Texts between them reflected concern and frustration, but by morning, the realization hit: Kaylee was missing. Her car was still parked, her phone went straight to voicemail, and no one had seen her since.

Early Investigation

Cameron called her parents and, finally, 911. Police treated the case with urgency due to her medical history – she had epilepsy, making her an at-risk individual. Investigators interviewed friends, family, and Cameron. Attention initially fell on a man Kaylee had danced with at the bar, but he provided no leads. With no immediate suspects, police waited to see if she would show up for work as a dental assistant – a test of whether her disappearance was voluntary.

The Shocking Lead: Campus Security Guard Edwin Lara

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Edwin Lara, a campus security officer at COCC, returned home after a night shift. His wife, Officer Isabelle Lara, noticed he seemed withdrawn. By the next morning, his confession to her sent shockwaves: he claimed to have accidentally hit a woman with his security vehicle and hidden her body.

Isabelle called the police. Officers searched their property, discovering a green purse soaked in blood, hair clumps, and a blood-stained rock – evidence belonging to Kaylee Sawyer. Police quickly identified Lara as the primary suspect.

Lara’s fascination with murder became evident when investigators found a college psychology project in his shed detailing the Railroad Killer, smeared with red paint to mimic blood. His obsession and premeditation were chilling.

Multi-State Crime Spree

Before authorities could fully apprehend him, Lara fled, holding Andrea May, a 19-year-old, hostage at gunpoint. Over the course of hours, he carjacked multiple vehicles, assaulted Andrea, and shot wildlife photographer Jack Levy. His erratic behavior culminated in a Facebook Live video, boasting about his crimes while terrorizing his victims.

Police worked tirelessly, and with guidance from 911 operators and Lara’s wife Isabelle, he was finally persuaded to surrender. On July 26, 2016, after a high-speed pursuit across two states, Lara was taken into custody.

The Horrific Truth About Kaylee Sawyer

Police interviews revealed the horrifying details of Kaylee’s final moments. Lara had lured her into his vehicle under the pretense of being a campus security officer. He choked her unconscious, drove her to a remote back road, and when she screamed upon waking, he struck her repeatedly with a rock until she was dead. Her green purse and phone had been taken to prevent her from calling for help.

Kaylee Sawyer, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend, was murdered in cold blood by a man entrusted to protect the community.

Lara pled guilty to aggravated murder and grand robbery in January 2018, receiving life without parole. In 2019, he received a second life sentence for kidnapping and carjacking Andrea May. His crimes left a permanent mark on the community and sparked legislative change: “Kaylee’s Law,” ensuring that campus security officers cannot impersonate police and that warning signs of dangerous behavior are addressed immediately.

Kaylee’s family remembers her as a “warrior” who carried love and a smile. Her death remains a stark reminder of the trust we place in those meant to keep us safe and the evil that can hide behind a familiar face.