Man Missing for Nearly 9 Months Located Deceased

Portland Police Badge

June 04, 2021 09:51

A man who has been missing and considered endangered for nearly 9 months has been located deceased in the Willamette River.

On Thursday, June 3, 2021, a private dive team with the firm "Adventures with Purpose" located the vehicle in about 25 feet of water off the Cathedral Park Boat Ramp. It was determined to be the Toyota SUV belonging to Richard Ritz, 74. The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Dive Team recovered the body, which was tentatively identified as Ritz, and turned him over to the Medical Examiner. Confirmation of his identity, and cause and manner of death will be determined at a later time. At this time there is no sign of foul play. Ritz's family has been notified.

The Portland Police Bureau is grateful for the public's efforts to look for him.

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Detectives recently learned that Mr. Ritz reportedly put new plates on his vehicle when he bought it: Oregon 716GPE

Mr. Ritz was last seen September 12th around 8:30 p.m. in North Portland. Missing Persons detectives are still looking for him and request help from the public if they see him or his vehicle.

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A man missing for 5 days is now considered endangered and the Portland Police Bureau is hoping the public can help by looking out for him and his vehicle.

Richard Ritz, 74, was last seen Sunday, September 13, 2020 around 5:00p.m. leaving a bar in the 9500 block of North Lombard Street.

Ritz (photos) is a white male, 6'1" in height, 160 pounds, with a short "fu manchu" style mustache, khaki pants, red plaid flannel shirt, a Lakers baseball cap, and black tennis shoes. He has several tattoos, including "HATE" on his right knuckles and "LOVE" on his left knuckles. He may be living in his vehicle, which is a matte black 1999 Toyota 4Runner SUV (photos), Oregon license CK65017. Ritz is known to frequent St. Johns, Sauvie Island, and Scappoose.

Some health information has led Missing Persons Detectives to classify Ritz as endangered.

If anyone has seen Ritz or his vehicle, please contact Portland Police Missing Persons Detectives at 503-823-0797 or missing@portlandpolice.gov .

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