This story has been updated from its original version. The original story may be found below.
A body pulled from the Willamette River over the weekend is suspected to be that of Owen Klinger, the teen University of Portland (UP) student who went missing on Oct. 6, according to authorities.
On Monday, Oct. 21 Portland police said that Multnomah County river patrol deputies had recovered a body just before 1 p.m. on Sunday by the 9400 block of Northwest St. Helens Road in St. Johns.
Klinger’s family confirmed Monday they believe it is their son Owen and released this statement to the media: “Portland police have notified us that they have recovered a body that we believe is our son, Owen Klinger,” Mary and Dustin Klinger said. “We deeply appreciate the extraordinary effort and support that thousands of people have provided over the past two weeks. We now ask for privacy as we move forward with our healing process.”
UP, where Klinger recently began his studies as a freshman, also released a statement Monday afternoon saying they expected medical examiners to confirm the identity of the decedent as their student.
Klinger was reported missing after leaving his college dorm on foot the evening of Oct. 6. A citywide search was launched and his family said they never gave up hope.
University of Portland (UP) student Owen Klinger went missing on Oct. 6, prompting a series of city-wide searches from friends and peers. Klinger is still missing nearly two weeks after his disappearance as the search continues.
The missing university freshman is 6 foot 1 inch tall, 165 pounds and has long brown hair and brown eyes, according to a more in-depth story by Pamplin Media Group. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, jeans with sneakers, and a drawstring backpack with his hair pulled back into a ponytail.
An active search for the Klinger is underway by Portland Police Bureau. Neighbors and friends of the Klinger family have been creating maps and canvassing neighborhoods, distributing fliers and spreading the word about the student’s disappearance. They’ve also established social media and answered phone calls on behalf of his parents Mary and Dustin Klinger.
Friends of the Klinger family are also asking those who live near the UP campus in northeast Portland and have security cameras to check the footage for signs of Klinger passing by.
Anyone who may have information about the UP student’s disappearance is urged to call 9-1-1 or contact the Portland Police Bureau at 503-823-1081 or missing@portlandoregon.gov.
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