Salem, OR – A Salem man was arrested Thursday after authorities discovered a dead body in his car following a crash earlier this week. The man, identified as 39-year-old Tyler Andrew Holman, was found injured after a single-vehicle rollover accident in Independence, Oregon, on Monday morning.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the crash at approximately 6:30 a.m. near the 1000 block of Corvallis Road. Holman was transported to Salem Health for medical care after the accident, which left him with non-life-threatening injuries. However, during the investigation, law enforcement uncovered a chilling discovery—a deceased woman inside Holman’s vehicle.
The victim was later identified as 35-year-old Ashley Jean Gandolfi. An autopsy conducted by the Oregon State Medical Examiner confirmed that she had died from a gunshot wound, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Salem police continued their investigation, which led them to Holman’s residence in the 1600 block of Acacia Drive South. Authorities determined that Holman and Gandolfi had previously been involved in a romantic relationship, though the details of their connection remain unclear.
Following his release from the hospital on Thursday, Holman was taken into custody and booked into the Marion County Jail. He faces several charges, including second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and second-degree abuse of a corpse.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover more details surrounding the tragic death of Gandolfi and the circumstances leading to the crash.
