The tragic story of Melissa Jubane, a 32-year-old nurse from Beaverton, Oregon, took a heartbreaking turn when she was found dead on September 7, 2024, just days after returning from her wedding in Hawaii. Jubane, a nurse at St. Vincent Hospital, had gone missing on September 4 when she failed to show up for her morning shift. Concerned coworkers and family immediately contacted the police, who initiated a welfare check at her apartment. Finding no sign of her and receiving no response from her phone, investigators quickly listed her as a missing person.
Jubane had recently returned to Oregon with her husband, Bryan Llantero, after tying the knot on August 24 in a ceremony on the island of Oahu. The newlyweds had been in a long-distance relationship for a decade, often traveling between Oregon and Hawaii to spend time together. After their wedding, the couple returned to Oregon on September 1, spending Labor Day together before Bryan left to visit family in Washington. Melissa stayed behind in Beaverton to be closer to her work, but her sudden disappearance left her family, friends, and coworkers deeply concerned.
As the investigation progressed, authorities zeroed in on Melissa’s 27-year-old neighbor, Bryce Johnathan Schubert. After gathering sufficient evidence, police arrested Schubert on September 7 and charged him with her murder. While details of how he became a suspect remain unclear, his arrest brought some closure to the desperate search for Melissa, though it also confirmed the community’s worst fears.
Melissa’s remains were recovered, but police have withheld further information as they continue their investigation. In a statement, the Beaverton Police Department extended their condolences to Melissa’s family and expressed gratitude to the community members who had aided in the search.
The discovery of Melissa’s body just days after her wedding has left her family and friends devastated. Her mother-in-law, Imelda Llantero, described how the family rushed to Oregon to assist in the search when Melissa first went missing. She expressed how deeply Bryan was impacted by the tragedy, stating that the family had grown close to Melissa over the years and that Bryan had always been happy with her. Imelda shared that the newlyweds were excited to start their life together, but their hopes were tragically cut short.
Jubane’s friends also spoke out, organizing search efforts in the days leading up to the discovery of her body. Close friends described her as a person with a “big heart” who loved helping others, both in her personal life and through her work as a nurse. Her colleagues at St. Vincent Hospital echoed these sentiments, remembering her dedication and compassion toward her patients.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help support Melissa’s grieving family, quickly raising over $56,000 as of early September. The outpouring of support from the community demonstrates the impact she had on those around her. While the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to the legal process as Bryce Schubert faces murder charges.
As friends and family mourn the loss of a young woman with so much to offer, the community of Beaverton is left grappling with the sudden and violent nature of Melissa’s death. Her story has sparked conversations about safety and trust within neighborhoods, and the case has become a stark reminder of the unpredictability of violence.
Melissa’s legacy as a nurse, newlywed, and beloved friend will not be forgotten. As her family awaits justice, they cling to the memory of her kindness, her dedication, and the love she shared with her husband Bryan. The legal proceedings against Schubert will continue, and while the healing process will be long and painful, Melissa’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
