Detectives tracking final steps of man who drowned in Columbia River

Detectives are still trying to track the final steps of a 43-year-old man found in the Columbia River on Monday morning.

The body of Ricardo Campos Aguilar was discovered about 11 a.m. south of the Port of Pasco industrial park near Road 20 East and Dock Street.

A fisherman spotted the body floating in the inlet designed for large industrial boats delivering items to the port.

A preliminary autopsy results showed that he died from fresh water drowning, Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary told the Tri-City Herald.

It’s believed Aguilar didn’t have a permanent home, Franklin County Sgt. Steve Warren told the Tri-City Herald. It’s unclear when he was last seen before he disappeared.

Detectives are trying to determine where Aguilar went into the water, Warren said. It’s not clear at this point whether his body floated in from upstream or if he drowned in the inlet.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Michael Schwalbach at 509-545-3501 or through the non-emergency dispatch at 509-628-0333 and reference case 26-3696.

Aguilar had been discharged from Eastern State Hospital in July after four months of treatment for mental health issues. He had been found not guilty by reason of insanity for allegedly assaulting a health care worker.

Aguilar appeared to split his time between living with his parents and being homeless before his arrest in 2024, according to a report from Eastern State Hospital. He had regular contact with his family while he was in the hospital.

He suffered from frequent seizures, which is believed to have contributed to a cognitive disability and several mental health issues, according to the report. He was prescribed seizure medication that he sometimes stopped taking.

He had several convictions for drug use and assaulting health care workers and police, according to court documents.