Crime

Deputies investigating body found in Columbia River near Port of Pasco

Deputies are investigating after a man’s body was found in the Columbia River Monday morning.

Pasco police and Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the industrial dock south of the Port of Pasco about 11 a.m. Monday when a fisherman on the shore spotted a body in the water, Commander Marcus Conner told the Tri-City Herald.

The dock is designed for large industrial boats delivering items to the port.

A body was found in the Columbia River south of the Port of Pasco near Road 20 E. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.
A body was found in the Columbia River south of the Port of Pasco near Road 20 E. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Google Maps

Officials were able to recover the body about 2 p.m., but are still working to piece together details his identity, Conner said.

It’s believed the man hadn’t been in the water a long time.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.

It’s still not clear how the man ended up in the water, or if he was alive or dead.

Franklin County Coroner Curtis McGary said an autopsy is still being scheduled and he is working with the sheriff’s office to identify the man.

Pasco Police and Franklin County Sheriff Investigators responded Monday to just off East Dock Street at SE Road 20 East in the Port of Pasco's Big Pasco Industrial Center after a fisherman spotted a body in the Columbia River. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
Pasco Police and Franklin County Sheriff Investigators responded Monday to just off East Dock Street at SE Road 20 East in the Port of Pasco's Big Pasco Industrial Center after a fisherman spotted a body in the Columbia River. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

This story was originally published March 16, 2026 at 3:13 PM.

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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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