JOSEPHINE COUNTY, OR - The Oregon State Police reports that on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and OSP responded to a stabbing on Grave Creek Road, near milepost 7, in Josephine County.
Daniel Wayne Finney (34) of Wolf Creek was located near his vehicle with multiple stab wounds. Finney was able to communicate with the reporting party prior to passing away at the scene. Investigators arrived on scene and located additional evidence of the crime before identifying Keandra Demetrius Blanding (29) of Springfield as the primary suspect.
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office requested the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section lead the investigation. At approximately 12:00 a.m., on Saturday, November 23, detectives located Blanding's vehicle in White City. At approximately 1:00 a.m., Blanding was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
Blanding was arrested for Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. On November 24, Blanding was indicted by a grand jury in Josephine County.
OSP was assisted by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, State Medical Examiner, and the OSP Forensic Services Division.
Due to the on-going criminal prosecution, no further information is available for release.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
