Keizer, Oregon Mom Chardonnay Marie Benavidez Arrested on Three Counts of Attempted Murder After Trying to Kill 3 Children and Herself via Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

KEIZER, OR — A 32-year-old Keizer mother faces multiple counts of first-degree attempted murder after authorities say she tried to kill her three young children and herself using carbon monoxide poisoning inside an attached garage on Saturday evening.

Chardonnay Marie Benavidez was arrested after calling emergency services herself when she changed her mind at the last moment. According to the Keizer Police Department, Benavidez contacted 911 at approximately 8:20 p.m. on June 6 to report that her children were falling in and out of consciousness.

The Holly Court Northeast Incident

When police officers and emergency crews arrived at the home on Holly Court Northeast, they discovered Benavidez in the living room with her children: a pair of 2-year-old twin boys and a 4-year-old boy.

In the attached garage, investigators uncovered a vehicle with a makeshift apparatus running directly from the exhaust pipe into the interior of the car. Officials revealed that Benavidez had lured her children into the vehicle by telling them they were going to have a "fun sleepover" in the garage.

The Keizer Fire District responded immediately to the scene, where crews had to extensively vent the garage before officers could safely enter due to the lethal levels of carbon monoxide still trapped inside the space.

All four individuals were rushed to a local hospital to receive emergency treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. The three children were medically cleared and released into the custody of their father the following day, June 7.

A Premeditated Scheme and Crypto Social Media Posts

Court documents reveal that Benavidez and the children’s father divorced in 2024, with Benavidez retaining sole legal custody of the kids. In the days leading up to the event, she shared cryptic social media posts that family and community members now view as an unheeded cry for help from the single mother.

However, state prosecutors emphasize that the act was highly premeditated rather than a sudden impulse.

During her initial court appearance on Monday, the prosecution argued successfully for Benavidez to be held without bail, revealing chilling details about her preparation.

“The defendant told law enforcement that she had been planning this, researching it for about a week," the prosecutor stated to the judge. "Prior to doing this, there were multiple options she was considering and landed on this option as one where they would all just fall asleep together.”

Current Legal Status

After being medically cleared at the hospital, Benavidez was initially placed on a physician's hold. She was subsequently transported and booked into the Marion County Correctional Facility.

She remains in custody without bond, facing three counts of first-degree attempted murder alongside additional domestic violence-related charges. The investigation remains active as the Marion County District Attorney's office builds its case.