Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested a Shady Cove man Tuesday on charges related to the death of his roommate. Detectives say 21 year old Shane Ryan Micheal Wayman, killed 20 year old Destiny Anne Finch, in their home, and then left her remains in a wooded area north of Trail.
On Monday, November 11, 2019, just prior to 7:00pm, dispatch received a call from a family member reporting that 20 year old Destiny Anne Finch was missing from her home in Shady Cove. Deputies responded and found evidence that an assault had occurred there.
Deputies learned that Finch and Wayman had an argument earlier in the day; neither were present at the residence at the time of the missing person report. Finch and her fiancé lived together in the home, along with Wayman and another male adult.
Jackson County Sheriff’s detectives activated the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit Monday evening. Personnel from the Oregon State Police, the Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office responded to assist in the investigation.
On Tuesday, November 12, at approximately 6:15am, Medford Police detectives located Wayman walking along Highway 62 at mile marker 24. He was detained without incident. Moments later, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detectives found Wayman’s vehicle, a white 1999 Hyundai Sonata, parked along Highway 62 near the Prospect Ranger Station.
Detectives located Destiny Anne Finch’s remains just before noon on Tuesday in a wooded area near Highway 227 in Douglas County, just north of the county line. After consultation with authorities in Douglas County, Jackson County investigators continued as the lead agency for the investigation.
An investigator with the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and an autopsy was planned for Wednesday afternoon to confirm the cause and manner of death.
Wayman was placed in the Jackson County jail on charges of murder, first degree assault, second degree abuse of a corpse, and unlawful use of a weapon. The investigation is ongoing.
On Friday, November 15th, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office released an update regarding the open missing person case concerning Malina Nickel after Detectives found what they believe are human remains. That along with other evidence leads them to believe they have located Malina Nickel.
Nickel was reported missing three years ago after last being seen in Shady Cove on November 23, 2016. Though investigators found her vehicle abandoned near the Trail post office and received reports that a man was seen leaving the scene, the case went cold.
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday afternoon that a grand jury returned a ‘true bill’ against 21 year old Shane Ryan Michael Wayman, for two counts of Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree and one count of Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree, in the case concerning Malina Nickel.
The investigation is ongoing.
Detectives would like to hear from anyone who may have video footage that could assist in the investigation. They are specifically looking for footage of the following roadways: Highway 62 from mile marker 18 to Highway 230; Highway 227 between Highway 62 and the Douglas County line; Highway 230 between Highway 62 and Highway 138. Anyone with video cameras in those areas, or any other information about the case, can call the JCSO tip line at (541) 770-8333.
