Mother of man fatally stabbed at a Northeast Portland hotel speaks out

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The mother of 26-year-old Drew Hayden Courtright, who was fatally stabbed at Sojourn Suites on March 21, remembers him as a "funny, generous and heartfelt person." Shannon Courtright recounted the moment she received the tragic news while at work, a call from her brother that left her devastated.

Portland police discovered Drew's body after responding to a call around 8 a.m. He had been staying at the hotel with his girlfriend when the suspect knocked on their door, according to his girlfriend's account to Shannon. Despite her efforts to help, Drew was fatally wounded during the encounter. Shannon expressed regret that her son answered the door, describing how the suspect was searching for items and how this led to the violent confrontation.

Authorities arrested 42-year-old Mitch Bryan Schoonover on March 25, charging him with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and third-degree assault. Schoonover has a prior conviction for first-degree manslaughter. Court documents suggest a second suspect was involved, but their identity remains unknown.

Shannon visited the scene with her family, describing evidence of a brutal struggle. Despite Drew's past criminal record, she stressed that he had never engaged in violence and was working on improving his life after facing challenges with addiction. She urged the community to consider the complexities of people's lives before passing judgment, highlighting that not everyone deserves such a tragic fate.

Drew had a twin brother and a sister, along with an older brother who passed away in 2021. His memorial service is scheduled for Mother's Day, May 11, and the family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with burial expenses.