A Portland woman has been accused of killing her boyfriend in a parking lot over $3,200 in lottery winnings. The suspect, Mary Ann McKinzy, allegedly received $1,700 from her boyfriend, who accused her of taking another $800 without permission, which led to an altercation resulting in the victim’s death.
An Unfortunate Series of Events
McKinzy, who is 55, was arrested last month by US Marshals in Bakersfield, California, but she was only extradited to her home state recently.
The case dates to November 2025, when James S. Miller, 75, presumably her boyfriend at the time, was found dead. McKinzy was extradited to Oregon on September 18, 2026, and now faces second-degree murder charges, along with first-degree assault and negligent homicide.
The accident itself took place on November 28, when Miller asked a friend to drive him to McKinzy’s apartment and seek his $800 back. The pair arrived at the 900 block of Southeast 162nd Avenue. Miller, however, would soon turn violent too, leading to the events of his death. He threatened McKinzy to open the door or that he would otherwise resort to breaking the window.
Miller also told his friend to block McKinzy’s car from leaving, using their own vehicle. McKinzy got into her car, however, and backed into the friend’s car as she attempted to get away. Miller then produced a knife, as police established using CCTV footage, and used it to slash McKinzy’s tires.
Police Responded and Located McKinzy’s Car – But She Had Disappeared
At this point, McKinzy went in reverse and hit Miller, who was at least partially underneath the vehicle. Miller’s friend urged McKinzy to move the car again, which she did, and said that Miller had been trying to kill her before she fled the scene.
Police then responded to the scene at around 3:43 am, being tipped off about a stabbing.
However, there was no stabbing, and they found Miller’s prostrate body, which was pronounced dead at the scene. The Multnomah County Medical Examiner ruled Miller’s death a homicide caused by blunt-force trauma.
Police were able to locate McKinzy’s vehicle at a tyre store, but soon found out that she had left Oregon. She had been missing unti her arrest on August 8, and her subsequent extradition to Oregon.
