The Clark County sheriff’s office today has confirmed the name of a woman who suffered a gunshot wound to the head on Larch Mountain yesterday: Kara Leonard, Portland Commissioner Randy Leonard’s 31-year-old daughter.
Leonard has emptied his schedule over the next several days “so he can be with his family and help make the arrangements for her funeral services,” says his chief of staff, Ty Kovatch.
The sheriff’s office says it’s waiting on a medical examiner’s report before disclosing a cause of death or more information about what happened. Its release Sunday says Kara Leonard was found “off of the road in a field that is often used for target practice.” Update: The Oregonian reports that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
Update 12:30 PM: Kovatch has just emailed a statement about Kara Leonard’s death.
“Yesterday, after years of struggling with heroin addiction, Commissioner Leonard’s daughter, Kara Marie Leonard, took her own life.
Kara was deeply loved by her family and friends who poured their hearts into helping her recover. Tragically, she was not able to overcome her addiction. Her family hopes that her life can help others find the inspiration they need to escape from the vicious cycle of addiction.”
Leonard’s daughter has long battled with substance abuse. WW‘s post this morning notes that she recently referenced her struggles on her Twitter feed. She was featured in a 2007 documentary, Finding Normal, that tracked Central City Concern clients through the recovery process, and in it her father discussed her life as an addict. Indymedia in 2008 reported from a planned screening of the film at city hall:
Even commissioner Randy Leonard broke down while he was speaking to the audience, as he gestured toward his own daughter, sitting in the front row, who had struggled with addiction for much of her life before her father finally helped her to find her way to the mentor program. He said that he really believes that this was her “last chance.” She, too, found her way out, and appears to be doing very well now.
Kovatch says it’s unknown how much time, exactly, Leonard will take off. Leonard’s colleagues have begun sending out their condolences. Click below.
From Mayor Sam Adams:
“My heart aches for my colleague and friend Randy Leonard, and for his family, who lost their only daughter yesterday. Randy loved his daughter deeply, and worked tirelessly to help her get the care she needed as she fought for sobriety. My thoughts and prayers are with Randy and his family at this difficult time.”
Terrible.
Terrible, indeed. Randy, I’m so sorry. 🙁
This is really terrible.
I have met her a couple of times, and although there was always the bit of “hush” around the fact that she had been dealing with an addiction, she always seemed a very nice person.
Kara is going to be missed by all who knew her. She was loved unconditionally. My last memory of her is her big smile and a big hug. She loved her son, she loved being clean and sober. Addiction is a subtle foe that can overwhelm the best of us. Rest in peace, my friend, Kara. You are gone but we will never forget you. Thank you for the light you brought to our lives and the lessons we learned together. My sincere prayers are sent out to your family, especially to Cole. May all who suffer from this disease find and live a life of recovery, one day at a time.