No foul play evident with drowning victim

By Terry Murry on Friday, May 14th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

KENNEWICK – Oscar Castaneda, 29, of Pendleton died due to drowning in the Columbia River according to the Benton County Coroner. His body was found in the water today (Friday) at around 8 a.m. by a city employee.

Castaneda has family in Pasco, and it’s known he was in Columbia Park on Thursday when he spoke to Kennewick police. There is no investigation why that encounter took place.

Investigators say they believe he died sometime during Thursday night or early Friday morning. His body was fully clothed. The coroner ruled Castaneda’s death to be drowning. Because there was no evidence of foul play, an autopsy is not planned.

The case is being investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office since the body was found in the river.