Investigators release more information about body found in Columbia River

Investigators are releasing more details about a man whose body was discovered in the Columbia River last week.

Kayakers discovered the body on May 24 on a remote stretch next to the railroad fill that creates Mound Pound about 15 miles south of Kennewick.

The pond is one of five created when the railroad tracks were built along the shoreline. It is across the river from Wallula Gap and north of the Oregon border.

Since the discovery, investigators have been trying to identify the man and determine how he ended up in the river. They’ve been hampered by the condition of the body, which had been in the river for at least several days.

There are no missing people in the area that match the man’s age or description, Lt. Mike Clark told the Tri-City Herald. One possible missing person from Walla Walla was ruled out because he was the wrong age.

Clark did say the man was wearing a black motocross T-shirt, jeans, thermals and boots and had tattoos on both arms, chest and back.

Investigators didn’t find any identification on the man.

The Benton County coroner’s office has taken x-rays and a DNA sample and are ready to compare them to records, Clark and Coroner Bill Leach said.

Beyond the man’s identity, investigators are still trying to determine how the man died. An autopsy last week wasn’t conclusive, Leach said, and tissue samples have been sent for testing.

While they have been able to rule out “serious trauma” such as being hit by a train, they haven’t been able tell if he had any other injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Patrick Tomren by phone at 509-735-6555 ext. 7204 or email at patrick.tomren@co.benton.wa.us or they can reach Sgt. Horacio Gonzalez by phone at 509-735-6555 ext. 7205 or by email at Horacio.Gonzalez@co.benton.wa.us.

This story was originally published June 2, 2025 at 11:31 AM.