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Who Was Debe Atrops & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile

Ryan Gill

1 week ago

Debe Atrops, born Deborah Atrops, was a vibrant and active young woman who lived in Oregon. By the late 1980s, she had built a life in the Salem area, working as a secretary and bookkeeper. Friends and family remembered her as someone who loved outdoor activities, especially camping and hiking. Debe was known for her warmth, reliability, and dedication, both at work and in her personal life.

In 1987, she married Robert “Bob” Atrops. The couple adopted a baby girl named Rhianna. However, not long into the marriage, Debe began experiencing problems at home. Allegations of physical abuse surfaced, and by 1988, she had separated from Bob and moved back to Salem with plans to divorce. At the time, she had also started a new romantic relationship, signaling a fresh start away from the turbulence of her marriage.

Disappearance and Death

On the evening of November 29, 1988, Debe went to a hair appointment, after which she intended to pick up her 8-month-old daughter from Bob Atrops’ home in Sherwood. She never returned. Concern quickly grew among her family and friends, especially after Bob reported her missing just a few hours later. He told police and relatives that she had failed to show up and that he was concerned.

Two days later, on December 1, authorities discovered Debe’s car abandoned at a construction site in Beaverton. The license plates had been removed, one window was down, and the keys were inside. Her body was found in the trunk, partially covered in mud. An autopsy revealed that she had been manually strangled.

The investigation quickly turned toward Bob Atrops, given the history of abuse and Debe’s expressed fears that he might harm her. However, police lacked sufficient physical evidence at the time to move forward with charges. The case went cold for over 30 years.

Renewed Investigation and Justice

In 2020, Washington County investigators reopened Debe’s case. Cold Case Detective Kevin Winfield and his team used modern forensic techniques and new witness interviews to build a stronger case. Soil samples from the crime scene and Bob’s property were tested and found to be indistinguishable. DNA testing linked Bob to the coat Debe was wearing when she was killed.

In 2023, Bob Atrops was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The trial began in early 2025, and the jury took less than a day to convict him. Prosecutors argued that Bob, unable to cope with Debe moving on, lured her to his cabin and killed her in a jealous rage. On April 17, 2025, he was found guilty and later sentenced.

Legacy

Debe Atrops was 30 years old when her life was taken. She left behind a daughter who never had the chance to know her, and a family that spent decades waiting for justice. Her story, now featured in the 48 Hours episode The Mother I Wish I Knew, is a reminder of the lasting impact of domestic violence and the importance of perseverance in solving cold cases. Her memory lives on through those who fought for the truth and through her daughter, Rhianna Stephens, who continues to seek understanding and connection to the mother she lost.

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