People gathered on the gravel bar below Wallace Marine Park to cool off in the Willamette River on Thursday, July 30. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
The Salem Police Department swatted down rumors that a Salem man found on the bank of Willamette River over the weekend died of foul play.
The Polk County Medical-Legal Death Examiner confirmed that Kristopher Allen Rice, 28, died of “likely drowning,” said Lt. Treven Upkes, Salem police spokesman.
“Rumors circulating on social media related to the manner of Rice’s death are in direct contradiction to the medical examiner’s findings,” stated a Salem Police Department news release Tuesday.
A passerby noticed Rice’s body on Jan. 23 near Wallace Marine Park, police said. Officers arrived to find Rice’s body entangled in brush and partially submerged.
Rice was last seen by Salem police officers on Jan. 7 because there was a warrant for his arrest, police said. He ran from officers and was seen going into the river, the news release said.
Police said the Salem Fire Department searched for Rice on a rescue boat but couldn’t find him.
-Saphara Harrell
