Teen who disappeared underwater in the Willamette River found dead

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The body of the 13-year-old boy who disappeared underwater in the Willamette River Sunday night has been found.

Gregorio Maximiano-Solano had been presumed drowned after a three-day-long search yielded no clues about his whereabouts — until now. The Independence Police Department confirmed that the boy died and his body was found in Keizer Rapids Park.

“My heart is, and has been, with the Solano family these past several days,” said Independence Police Chief Robert Mason in a statement. “My hope is our community can transition into a place of healing now that Gregorio has been found.”

The family of the boy told KOIN 6 News on Tuesday that they were hoping to find his body to return it to his home in California and find closure.

Soon after he went missing, a rescue effort went underway by Independence police. After more than a day passed, that transformed into a recovery mission, with the assistance of the Linn County dive team and both the Multnomah and Polk County sheriff’s offices.

Maximiano-Solano had disappeared while playing in the Willamette near Riverview Park, officials said.

A fundraiser on GoFundMe has been set up to support Maximiano-Solano’s family.

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