The family of a man whose body was found in the Willamette River near the Steel Bridge is asking for the public’s assistance in figuring out what happened to him. Daniel Earl Ray, 35, was publicly identified by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, four days after his body was recovered from the river. His brother, 34-year-old Willie Ray, who lives in Irving, Texas, described Daniel Ray as charismatic, intelligent and loving.
“He was a beautiful man,” he said. “If you care to help out the family in any way, any information will help to hopefully bring us to total ease.” Daniel Ray went missing Nov.
6 while on his way to Texas for his two-year-old daughter’s birthday, Willie Ray said. Daniel Ray had taken a bus from Spokane, where he lived, and got off the bus in Portland, Willie Ray said. He said his brother got into an altercation at a Subway on Nov.
2, leading to his arrest. Daniel Ray, was released later that day according to court records, and he was last seen near the Willamette by a police officer on Nov. 6, Willie Ray said.
The county medical examiner’s office declined The Oregonian/OregonLive’s request that it release its determination of the cause of death. Willie Ray said he doesn’t believe his brother was suicidal, and he added that Daniel Ray was a strong swimmer. Anyone with information about Daniel Ray can contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at (503) 823-3333.
— Tanner Todd covers crime and public safety. Reach them.
