Crime

Homeless man was found dead in the Columbia River in Pasco. Do you recognize him?

A man’s body was found in the Columbia River at Pasco in September 2023 and authorities are still trying to identify him.
A man’s body was found in the Columbia River at Pasco in September 2023 and authorities are still trying to identify him. Courtesy Pasco Police Department

Police are hoping someone can identify a man discovered dead near the Pasco Boat Basin last fall.

Investigators shared a drawing on Facebook that depicts what the man likely looked like before his death in September.

The man believed to be about 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 lbs. was found in the Columbia River east of Schlagel Park on Sept. 24, Pasco police said on Facebeook. He had a reddish gray beard, brown hair and is believed to have been between his late 30s and late 40s.

Two men fishing from their kayaks discovered his body and it appeared he had been in the water for several days, Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary told the Tri-City Herald last year.

“We have reached out to other agencies across the state and still have no leads in helping identify (the man),“ said the post. “So now we reach out to you, the public and fine citizens of Pasco and other outstanding areas.”

Artist’s sketch of a homeless man found dead in the Columbia River in Pasco in September 2023.
Artist’s sketch of a homeless man found dead in the Columbia River in Pasco in September 2023. Courtesy Pasco Police Department

Investigators believe he was homeless and was seen in the area around the boat launch, but those who saw him never learned his name, McGary said previously.

Preliminary autopsy results didn’t find any signs that he had been injured before being found in the water.

Anyone with information about the man’s identity is asked to contact Pasco Detective Jed Abastillas by email at abastillasj@pasco-wa.gov or by phone at 509-546-4157. People can also contact the Franklin County Coroner’s Office at 509-546-5885.

CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
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