In a tragic case that has rocked a small Oregon town, 27-year-old Nathan Dean Anderson was shot and killed in what authorities describe as a premeditated act of violence stemming from a love triangle. The alleged shooter, Cody James Denowith, 28, was arrested on charges of murder and unlawful use of a weapon after a swift investigation linked him to the crime.
The events leading to the shooting unfolded in late April 2024, when Denowith was jailed following a domestic violence call involving his girlfriend, Dominique Marie Britt. While he was incarcerated, Britt made a shocking allegation, claiming that Anderson had sexually assaulted her. This accusation ignited a fury in Denowith, leading him to plot Anderson’s murder.
On April 29, 2024, Denowith confronted Anderson on a quiet street in Clackamas County around 5:30 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire as Denowith fired three shots at Anderson, striking him in the abdomen. Despite immediate medical assistance, Anderson succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. The news of his death spread rapidly, prompting friends and family to gather at the scene, creating a makeshift memorial adorned with flowers and messages of love.
Detectives quickly identified Denowith as the shooter, aided by witness accounts and surveillance footage. Text messages from Denowith to family members before the shooting revealed his intentions, indicating a premeditated plan to kill Anderson. Forensic evidence, including ballistic analysis that matched the bullets to a Sig Sauer handgun owned by Denowith, further solidified the case against him.
A week after the murder, Denowith was apprehended. In a police interrogation, he denied involvement, portraying himself as a family man and claiming that he had no reason to harm Anderson. However, the evidence against him was mounting. Detectives confronted him with details about his car’s missing license plates on the day of the shooting and the surveillance footage placing him at the scene.
As the investigation continued, Britt was also brought in for questioning. During her interrogation, she admitted to knowing about Denowith’s plan to kill Anderson, stating that he had expressed his intent to “go shoot Nate.” Despite attempts to dissuade him, she ultimately acknowledged her complicity in the events that transpired.
Both Denowith and Britt were charged with murder, with Britt later pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon. She received a sentence of 150 months in prison. Denowith, facing similar charges, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault with a firearm, resulting in a combined sentence of 27 and a half years.
The case has left the community in shock, as friends and family of Nathan Anderson mourn the loss of a young life taken too soon. While the sentences provide a measure of closure, they cannot replace the life that was lost, nor can they undo the devastating impact of this violent crime. The tragic intersection of jealousy, betrayal, and violence serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked emotions and unresolved conflicts.
