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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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A dead body was recovered from Portland's Willamette River on Saturday, the 10th body recovered from Portland, Oregon, rivers since mid-April.
The identity of the victim has not been revealed. They were discovered just four days after a ninth body was found in Portland's Columbia River.
Deputy John Plock, Public Information Officer for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) told Newsweek: "We have found no indication that these deaths are connected to each other or that there is criminal activity involved."
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Why It Matters
The number of bodies being recovered is higher than usual, according to the MCSO and residents, creating concern over social media that something suspicious is occurring in the area.
However, the MCSO has said they do not believe there is suspicious activity occurring at this time.
What To Know
According to the MCSO, it is more common to uncover bodies at this time of year because the pace and temperature of the rivers create an environment where bodies float to the surface more easily.
As the rivers warm, bodies decompose faster. It's this decomposition process which brings bodies to the surface, meaning there may not be more people in the river than usual, but they are being found more easily.
Additionally, the springtime pace of the river influences how and where bodies come to the surface. Spring and summer also bring more water activity, meaning there are more people around to spot something unusual.
In a May 5 press release, when eight bodies had been recovered from the rivers, the MCSO told the public: "The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office has no reason to believe there is any suspicious activity nor do we believe there is any connection between the bodies."
They explained that when a body is recovered from a river in the area, they are taken by the Sheriff's Office River Patrol Unit to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office. There, the Medical Examiner verifies the body's identity and determines how the person died.
The MCSO noted that this number of bodies is higher than this time last year, when six bodies were recovered from rivers in the area, but have determined that the majority of bodies from the river have passed away due to accidental drowning or suicide.
Deputy Plock told *Newsweek: "*In 2024 MCSO recovered 25 bodies total from waterways in our jurisdiction. This was an increase from the 4 years prior (2020-2023), where we averaged around 11 (10.75) bodies recovered per year."
Portland-area resident E.J. told KPTV that these recoveries are an important reminder about water safety.
E.J., who previously lost a friend in Portland's Columbia River, said: "It can happen to anybody, and you shouldn't think that you know everything, that's for sure."
He also noted that he has been on the river since 2008 and this is the highest number of bodies being recovered from the waters that he has ever seen. "It is just one thing after another," he told KPTV. "And it's just sad."
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What People Are Saying
Deputy John Plock, Public Information Officer for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office told Newsweek: "The vast majority of the bodies recovered are people who have committed suicide. A few are attributed to accidental drownings."
Portland-area resident E.J. told KPTV: "I make sure that I have my safety equipment, my fire extinguishers, my paddles. I let people know where I'm going, and when I get there, I let people know that I've made it safe."
What Happens Next
As the months progress into summer and more people venture to the river, it is crucial to practice water safety at all times.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Update 05/13/25 11:58 am ET: This story was updated to include comment from Deputy John Plock, Public Information Officer for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
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