April 26, 2022 10:20 a.m.

Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin has released a statement in response to Governor Kate Brown’s recent decision to grant clemency to a Douglas County man convicted of aggravated murder in 1995.

Hanlin said, “I am absolutely opposed to the Governor granting executive clemency to Kyle Hedquist”.

Hanlin said, “Kyle Hedquist conducted a very calculated, cold blooded execution style murder after realizing his victim, Nikki Thrasher “might” have accidently learned he was involved in a rash of burglaries. Under his own admission, Hedquist said he killed Ms. Thrasher to eliminate the possibility of her turning him into the police. He then dumped her body alongside a remote logging road”.

Hanlin’s statement said that the executive clemency granted by Governor Brown in the case is “shocking and irresponsible”. Hanlin said it was granted despite compelling arguments and letters of opposition from Douglas County District Attorney Rick Wesenberg, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson and Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast.

Hanlin said, “In my opinion, Governor Brown’s decision to grant clemency to Hedquist demonstrates complete disregard for the safety of our community and the community into which he has been released. More shockingly, it deliberately rejects and diminishes the justice delivered in the name of Ms. Thrasher, her family and friends”.

Hedquist was released to a south Salem home on April 15th. Marion County officials issued a Public Safety Notice regarding the commutation on Friday.