Josephine County man arrested for murder after landlord/tenant dispute

Taylar Ansures November 1, 2023

Last Updated: November 2, 2023

CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. – A Josephine County man is behind bars charged with the murder of another man Friday.

According to Oregon State Police, Michael Orentlicher, 57, shot and killed Theadore Crowly Friday morning on the Redwood Highway near Cave Junction.

When the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, Crowly’s body was found in the driveway of the home.

OSP says the landlord-tenant dispute began on October 26 when Orentlicher locked the gate and would not allow Crowly, the tenant, onto the property.

When Crowly returned Friday morning, OSP says he was shot and killed.

Orentlicher was booked into Josephine County Jail for murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

Taylar Ansures

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Taylar Ansures is a producer and reporter for NBC5 News. Taylar is from Redding, California and went to California State University, Chico. After graduating, she joined KRCR News Channel 7 in Redding as a morning producer. She moved to Southern Oregon in 2022 to be closer to family and became KTVL News 10’s digital producer. Taylar is currently finishing her Master's Degree in Professional Creative Writing through the University of Denver. In her free time, Taylar frequents independent bookstores and explores hiking trails across Southern Oregon and Northern California.