The recovery of a dead body from Willamette River on Saturday marked the 10th dead body discovered in the rivers near Portland, Oregon, since the middle of April.
Earlier this month, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release following the recovery of eight dead bodies from the Willamette and Columbia Rivers since April. At the time, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office explained that eight dead bodies had been recovered compared to six dead bodies in April and May of 2024. “The number is not unusual, though it is tragic,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The Medical Examiner continues to investigate and finalize the cause and manner of death. However, the majority of the eight bodies recovered this April and May are the result of drowning caused by suicide,” the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office stated. “Additionally, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has no reason to believe there is any suspicious activity nor do we believe there is any connection between the bodies.”
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office noted that a variety of factors contribute to the discovery of multiple dead bodies in the Portland area rivers at this time of the year, including water currents, the natural decomposition process of human bodies combined with higher water temperatures, and increased activity along the rivers.
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While the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that the discovery of multiple dead bodies in the Portland area rivers is “not unusual,” KPTV reported that Oregon residents were still surprised by the discovery of a 10th dead body on Saturday.
“I’ve been on these water bodies since 2008, and I think this is the most I’ve ever seen where it is just one thing after another, and it’s just sad,” E.J., a local resident, told KPTV.
The local resident told KPTV that a friend of his previously died in the Columbia River. “It can happen to anybody, and you shouldn’t think that you know everything that’s for sure,” he said.
“I make sure that I have my safety equipment, my fire extinguishers, my paddles, I let people know where I’m going and when I get there, I let people know that I’ve made it safe,” E.J. added. “Absolutely prepare for the worst and hope for the best because I’ve been out in the ocean and I’ve been out on these waters and everything can change within a couple of seconds, and if you’re not prepared for it, the worst can happen.”
