Police Identify Man Whose Body Was Found at Clatsop Beach North of Seaside (UPDATE)

Investigators have identified a deceased male who was kayaking prior to his death at Clatsop Beach, which is now considered an accidental drowning.

Officials identified the body of an adult male who was found on Clatsop Beach in Oregon, as 63-year old William Don Harris of Portland, Oregon.

(SEASIDE, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers with the assistance of the Clatsop County Medical Examiner, were able to positively identify the deceased African American male that was found on Clatsop Beach about five miles north of Seaside on the evening on June 24th.

The deceased man has been identified as 63-year old William Don Harris of Portland, Oregon. Troopers from the Portland area command were able to contact family of Mr. Harris. The cause of death appears to accidental drowning and there is no foul play suspected. Oregon State Police troopers were assisted at the scene by Clatsop County Medical Examiner, Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, and Gearhart Fire Department.

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Oregon State Police troopers, Clatsop County Sheriff's deputies, and the Clatsop County Medical Examiner responded to the area of Clatsop Beach about five miles north of Seaside tonight for a reported deceased unidentified African American male that had been found on the beach.

Sergeant Andrew Merila with Oregon State Police, says that at about 6:45 p.m., state troopers and Clatsop County deputies were dispatched to a deceased body that had been located on Clatsop Beach.

"The body is that of an unidentified African American male and is believed to be between forty to fifty years of age. The deceased male was found to be wearing a life jacket and an unoccupied kayak was found to the north of the location," Merila said.

"There does not appear to be foul play involved with the case".

Merila says investigators at the scene believe it is possible that deceased male may have been kayaking prior to his death and are investigating the case as an accidental drowning.

Anyone with information or that can assist in the identification of the deceased male should call the Oregon State Police Northern Communications Center at (503) 375-3555 or Sergeant Andrew Merila of the Astoria Area Command at (503)325-5515 Extension 26.

Merila says no further information to be released this evening.