Investigation Continues Into Susan Monica: A Case of Multiple Homicides

Susan Monica, formerly known as Susan Avalon, is currently serving a prison sentence in Oregon following her 2015 conviction for the murders of two men on her property in Jackson County. Investigators uncovered the remains of Stephen Delicino and Robert Haney buried on her rural land, a discovery that remains one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the region’s recent history, according to records from the Mail Tribune.

What Led to the Investigation of Susan Monica?

The investigation began in early 2014 when authorities were notified about the disappearance of Robert Haney. Haney, a 56-year-old handyman, had been employed by Monica at her farm near Wimer, Oregon. According to the Oregonian, police arrived at the property to conduct a welfare check and eventually executed a search warrant. During their sweep of the 20-acre parcel, deputies discovered human remains, which were later identified as Haney. Further excavation of the site led to the discovery of a second set of remains, identified as Stephen Delicino, who had been missing since 2012.

The Legal Proceedings and Conviction

During her trial in 2015, Monica provided conflicting accounts regarding the deaths of the two men. She claimed to investigators that she had discovered the men dead on her property and that pigs had consumed portions of their bodies, a defense that prosecutors dismantled through forensic evidence and witness testimony. The Oregon Department of Justice reported that a jury found Monica guilty of two counts of murder, as well as identity theft and abuse of a corpse. In April 2015, a judge sentenced her to life in prison with a minimum of 50 years before the possibility of parole.

How Forensic Evidence Shaped the Case

The state’s case relied heavily on forensic analysis conducted at the Wimer property. Prosecutors argued that Monica systematically attempted to conceal the deaths to continue collecting Social Security benefits and other assets belonging to the victims. Forensic anthropologists and law enforcement officials testified that the condition of the remains indicated foul play rather than the accidental deaths Monica alleged. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office utilized extensive resources to process the crime scene, which was complicated by the presence of livestock and the remote nature of the terrain.

Key Facts About the Case

• Defendant: Susan Monica (born Susan Avalon).
• Location: Wimer, Jackson County, Oregon.
• Victims: Robert Haney (56) and Stephen Delicino (59).
• Sentencing Date: April 2015.
• Conviction: Two counts of murder, identity theft, and abuse of a corpse.
• Incarceration Status: Serving a life sentence at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.

Current Status of the Inmate

Susan Monica remains incarcerated within the Oregon Department of Corrections system. The case drew significant media attention due to the gruesome nature of the discoveries and the defendant’s history of living off the grid. While the criminal proceedings concluded in 2015, the case is frequently cited in regional law enforcement circles as a significant example of a multi-victim homicide investigation in a rural setting. There are no pending appeals that would alter her current life sentence.