UCSO awaits Bowles’ autopsy results

By on Tuesday, January 12th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PORTLAND – An autopsy on David Lee Bowles took place Monday afternoon at the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office. Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Det. Calvin Meade attended and said no obvious cause of death was found.

In addition, Public Information Officer Lt. Sterrin Ward said Meade was informed that the toxicology report from the autopsy will take 14 to 16 weeks to be returned.

Bowles, 43, of Heppner, had been charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death by gunshot of his wife Marlen Bowles last month. He voluntarily turned himself in at the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, was arraigned on Friday, and was found dead in his cell Saturday morning. UCSO reported that the body was discovered in bed and there was no obvious sign of foul play and no visible reason to suspect suicide.