Body of missing kayaker from Porterville found on Willamette River in Oregon
The body of Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez of Porterville — who had been missing since a kayaking incident in Oregon on April 12 — was found on May 4, deputies said.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies shortly after 1 p.m. May 4 after receiving reports of a body found along the shore of the Willamette River, just north of Meldrum Bar Park in Gladstone.
Deputies found the body in a difficult to reach location along the shoreline; they were able to access the location using boats.
Rodriguez’s family was notified, deputies said.
Deputies said Rodriguez’s family were on vacation and Rodriguez was last seen kayaking in the area and may not have known the falls were there.
Around 10:50 p.m. April 12, multiple 911 callers reported observing a kayaker in distress on the Willamette River, just upstream of Willamette Falls in Oregon City. A short time later, witnesses stated Rodriguez was seen going over the falls and did not resurface.
Authorities had been searching for Rodriguez since.
Rodriguez is a Porterville High graduate and played football at the school before joining the College of the Sequoias football team.
The Rodriguez family released a statement in April following the disappearance:
“We, the family of Marcelus Angelo Rodriguez, are truly devastated by the tragic event that unfolded this past Saturday in the Willamette Falls area, and we would not wish this experience on anyone. Our family is making every effort to heal and come to terms with our loss.
“Marcelus loved God, his family, and nature. We hope that this tragic accident can be avoided in the future for other families. May God keep watch over Marcelus and bless him always.”
