Late yesterday afternoon, authorities confirmed that a body was retrieved from the Columbia River near Camas, Washington, and transported to Chinook Landing in Fairview for examination by the medical examiner. According to local reporting by KGW, deputies responded to the scene near the riverbank and made the recovery before conveying the remains to Chinook Landing, located in Fairview, for further investigation. The body was then handed over to the medical examiner for identification and determination of manner and cause of death (KGW report).

At this time, authorities have not released identifying details of the individual, nor have they indicated any signs of foul play. The case appears to be in the early stages, and the medical examiner’s office will likely issue a ruling after completing its examination.

Why This Matters Locally

The body was recovered from a stretch of the Columbia River directly adjacent to Cowlitz County’s jurisdiction, and Fairview lies just across the river from Camas—placing this incident firmly within our regional purview. While Camas and Fairview fall outside the immediate confines of Longview and Kelso, the proximity and shared waterways mean such events can hold relevance to our community, especially given procedural overlaps and shared emergency response systems.

What Comes Next

The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office, while not directly involved in this recovery, is equipped to provide regional context regarding river safety, recovery protocols, and identification procedures. We will seek clarification on whether public notifications or safety advisories are warranted for residents accessing the Columbia River within or near Cowlitz County boundaries.

We have reached out to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office for updates on the identity, cause, and manner of death, as well as any confirmation of foul play. We are also monitoring for any statements from local law enforcement agencies or Broad regional channels, and will report those as they become available.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• The identity of the person recovered—and whether they may be local, a visitor, or someone known to authorities;
• The cause and manner of death (e.g., accident, natural causes, or other);
• Whether there is any suspicion or exclusion of foul play;
• Any implications for regional waterway safety or ongoing investigative concerns.

Next Updates

We will update this story as soon as the medical examiner releases information. If a public identity is confirmed, we will report it with sensitivity and appropriateness. Should a pattern or safety advisory emerge—especially related to access points such as Chinook Landing or river usage—we will ensure that residents are informed promptly.

Columbia Countercurrent remains committed to accurate, transparent reporting on incidents affecting our region’s rivers, waterways, and public safety.