Remains found in Columbia River identified

Update 7/29/2026

The Chelan County Coroner, Earl Crowe, has identified the recovered body as 66-year-old Barry Dechenne of Wenatchee.

The cause and manner of death is still unknown, and remains under investigation by the Coroner’s Office and Chelan County Sheriff’s Office detectives.

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On July 20, 2026, at approximately 7:38 p.m., the Chelan County Sheriff's Office received a report of human remains in the Columbia River near Rock Island Dam. Deputies responded to the area and confirmed the report.

Detectives and personnel from the Chelan County Coroner's Office responded by marine unit and recovered the remains from the river.

The Chelan County Coroner's Office is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the identity of the deceased. Investigators have confirmed that the remains are not those of missing 18-year-old Erik Luna of Bridgeport.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Chelan County Sheriff's Office.