Heichel tragedy causes skepticism about own safety

Last week, Gresham, where I have lived my entire life, was shocked by some frightening news.

We learned that Whitney Heichel, a 21-year-old Starbucks barista, was murdered by her neighbor, Jonathan Holt, who has confessed to authorities.

The story that she was missing initially broke on Oct. 16. She was missing only a few hours before her car was found in the parking lot of the Wood Village Wal-Mart after she had failed to show up for her 7 a.m. shift at Starbucks.

Gresham Police were searching for the young woman for three days when clues lead them to discover her body at Larch Mountain, shortly after Holt was arrested and charged with aggravated murder.

What has happened has shaken our community. I am more on edge than ever. Normally I would feel perfectly comfortable going places by myself, but I now find myself looking at my neighbors in a new light, looking at people on the street differently, and wondering if I’m safe, if my co-workers, friends and family are safe.

I find myself thinking, if this horrible act happened to Heichel, only a year older than I am, could the same fate await me or someone I’m close to?

I consider myself to be a cynical person but my thoughts about this tragedy have made me feel sad. When I found out that Heichel was missing, I was not cynical about her outcome. Instead I felt hope. I hoped for days that she would come home safe. I am sad for her and her family but I still hope that things will get better. This sense of hope comes from the community support that has followed.

I have been very impressed by the local response over the loss of such a young person in such a horrific manner.

This past Monday, all Gresham Dutch Bros. coffee stands, plus a few Southeast Portland locations, donated 50 percent of their proceeds that day to the Heichel family. Seven stands that participated raised more than $12,000 in sales and donations. Several other small coffee stands have run specials during the week where they also will donate a portion of sales. The Gresham Starbucks where Heichel worked at in the Oregon Trail Shopping Center on Burnside has donated all tips to her family, and was staffed by baristas from different stores for several days after the loss of Heichel to allow her former colleagues to recover.

I find it comforting that even with such a sad loss, the community has come together to help this family and the friends and co-workers in their time of need.

This death has had a major impact on this town and surrounding communities.

While a tragedy, her death will hopefully be a thing that stays with people for years to come. We’ve learned that we’re not as safe as we might think, but also there is a lot of support in times of need and we may move on with a renewed sense of community in our homes and work places.