A woman's body was pulled from the Columbia River near Vancouver, Washington, on Wednesday morning, and investigators say her death is being treated as suspicious. Crews recovered her just downstream of the Interstate 5 bridge at about 9 a.m., and as of Wednesday she remained unidentified.
Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Sheriff's Office crews responded to the scene and pulled the body from the water, according to KPTV, which reported that the body had been spotted floating in the river before it was recovered. The outlet reported that her death is being investigated by the CCSO major crimes unit along with the medical examiner's office. KATU similarly reported that the Vancouver Fire Department's fire boat and the sheriff's office marine patrol handled the recovery just downstream of the bridge.
Description Released as Search for Identity Continues
Authorities have released a physical description in hopes that someone can help put a name to the woman. She is believed to be possibly Asian or Pacific Islander, between 20 and 30 years old, standing about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds, per the same KPTV report. She had brown hair and brown eyes.
Investigators also noted more specific identifying marks: she had a birthmark on the right side of her right calf muscle and no tattoos, the station's report states. Deputies told KOIN that they have not identified the woman, and KATU reported that authorities have not released details about the body's condition or a possible cause of death.
Sheriff's Office Appeals for Tips
The Clark County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who might recognize the description or otherwise know the woman's identity to call its major crimes unit tip line at 564-397-2847, according to KPTV. The sheriff's office said it would not be releasing any further information at this time, leaving many basic questions about the case unanswered for now.
This is not the first time a body pulled from the Columbia River near Vancouver has drawn the attention of Clark County investigators. In a separate case last year, the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office determined that 18-year-old Franky Fred, whose body was found in the river on May 30, 2025, died from an accidental drowning, according to The Columbian. That report noted alcohol use was also a factor in his death. No such determination has been made public in Wednesday's case, and officials have given no indication of how the woman died.
