Seven Bodies Surface in Portland’s Rivers as Warming Waters Reveal Grim Toll

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovered two bodies from the Willamette River on Saturday, just hours apart. These latest discoveries raise the number of bodies found in Portland’s waterways to seven since mid-April.

The first body was located around 2 p.m. north of the Steel Bridge. Later that evening, at about 8:15 p.m., a second body was discovered after washing up near Cathedral Park.

Seven Bodies Found in Portland Waterways Since 13 April

Since April 13, five bodies have been recovered from the Willamette River. The remaining two were found in the Columbia River and the Multnomah Channel.

Sheriff’s Office deputy information officer John Plock, says the number of bodies discovered so far this year was within ‘the expected range.’ Last year at this time, six bodies had been recovered from Portland waterways.

He said the reason for the discovery of seven bodies within a matter of about three weeks was caused by rising water temperatures which accelerated decomposition, causing bodies to rise to the surface quicker.