Charles “Rob” Gardiner

Gender : Male

Age :

Race : White

Date : 04/23/2025

Location : 9000 block of NE 79th Street

City : Vancouver

County : Clark

State : Washington

Agency : Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Suicide under police duress

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On April 23, 2025, deputies from the Clark County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an occupied residential burglary in the 9000 block of NE 79th Street in Vancouver, Washington. The caller reported a male subject inside the residence, who then fled the scene on foot.​

During a search of the area, law enforcement officers discovered a vehicle nearby with a deceased individual inside, matching the description of the suspect. The individual was identified as Charles “Rob” Gardiner, the Interim Chief of the Cowlitz Tribal Public Safety Department. Evidence suggests that Gardiner died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit is actively investigating the incident, including the circumstances surrounding Gardiner's presence at the residence.​

SOURCE LINKS :

• https://www.kptv.com/2025/04/26/cowlitz-tribal-sheriff-found-dead-apparent-suicide/
• https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/apr/25/cowlitz-tribal-public-safety-dept-s-interim-chief-dies-of-self-inflicted-gunshot/
• https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/vancouver/interim-cowlitz-tribal-police-chief-dead-home-burglary/283-212116da-910f-4203-9c10-c71c7f8fd51d