Early Friday morning, Portland Fire & Rescue crews pulled a badly decomposed body from the Willamette River near the Kevin J. Duckworth Memorial Dock, according to officials. Multnomah County deputies were called in to assist while agencies on scene worked out who would lead the investigation. As of Friday morning, authorities had not released the person’s identity or a cause of death.
What Officials Said
Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves said evidence at the scene suggested the body had been in the water for quite a while. “This was a very decomposed body found near the shore of the Willamette,” Graves said, according to KATU.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to support Portland Fire & Rescue, and spokesperson Brent Weisberg said deputies would determine which agency should take the lead on the probe, according to KATU. Deputies remained on the riverfront to assist fire crews while investigators evaluated the area.
Where It Happened
The Kevin J. Duckworth Memorial Dock is a floating dock attached to Portland’s Eastbank Esplanade, located near and upriver (south) of the Steel Bridge, per the City of Portland code. Managed under city moorage rules, it is a frequent stopping point along the downtown riverfront.
Context
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office operates a River Patrol Unit that handles water recoveries and search operations, according to the sheriff’s office. The Willamette has already seen significant emergency activity this month. On June 14, a boat caught fire on the river downtown, injuring five people, as reported by KPTV.
Investigators said the case remains under investigation, and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner will work to identify the person and determine a cause of death. Officials did not immediately provide additional details.
