Medford, Ore. — The tranquil town of Medford was rocked in 2017 after the gruesome murder of Aaron Friar, bringing to light a twisted family saga that has since caught the eye of the nation. Six years later, Sierra Friar, Aaron’s youngest daughter who was indirectly a witness to the events leading up to her father’s murder, is set to publicly share her account in an upcoming exclusive interview.
The horrific scene began to unfold on October 2, 2017, when Aaron Friar and his 15-year-old daughter, Ellen “Ellie” Friar, were reported missing. Their disappearance was called into the authorities by Aaron’s ex-wife, Maggie Friar, after learning from their two younger daughters that something was amiss. The girls reported finding blood scattered throughout their home, sparking fears of foul play.
Investigators, tapping into the account of 11-year-old Sierra Friar, uncovered early clues. Sierra recounted waking to the chaos of her father yelling and the disturbing sounds of a struggle early that morning. Upon turning on the living room lights, she discovered a grim scene with blood staining the surroundings, adding that she also heard the voice of Ellie’s boyfriend, 19-year-old Gavin MacFarlane, amidst the turmoil.
Authorities soon pieced together that Aaron had recently forbidden Ellie from seeing Gavin, which might have contributed to the tragic events. However, the case took a rapid turn when Ellie was found wandering the streets with Gavin and his friend, 22-year-old Russell Jones, mere hours after being reported missing. Although initially uncooperative, the breakthrough came when Russell, during a casual smoke break with Detective Bill Ford, revealed crucial information. He confessed that while he did not commit the murder, he assisted Gavin in transporting Aaron’s body.
Russell’s account led to the discovery of Aaron’s body and subsequently Gavin’s confession to the murder. Gavin alleged during his interrogation that his actions were in response to Ellie’s claims of being pregnant and abused by her father — accusations that were later discredited by police investigations. Gavin claimed he was overwhelmed by anger from the supposed revelations when Ellie purportedly instructed him to commit the murder. Despite his justifications, evidence and subsequent admissions corroborated his direct involvement in Aaron’s death.
Gavin pleaded guilty to murder, receiving a life sentence, while Ellie was sentenced to 25 years in prison after admitting to conspiring in her father’s murder, thus closing a distressing chapter of deceit and violence that had gripped Medford.
In the upcoming episode of “First Love, Then Murder,” Sierra Friar will speak about the incident for the first time. Now older and reflecting on the tragedy, Sierra’s insights are anticipated to shed light on the personal impacts of the crime and the enduring trauma inflicted on her family.
The feature, which promises an in-depth look at the chilling events and personal stories from those most affected, is scheduled to air on Saturday, April 19, 2025, capturing audiences with a tale of love, betrayal, and tragedy deeply woven within a family’s fabric. Sierra’s impending revelations are expected to offer a poignant perspective on the loss, memories, and the ongoing journey of healing from such a profound family upheaval.