PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The body of Martin Nance, an Oregon Air National Guardsman missing since January, was recovered by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, officials announced Friday.
No foul play is suspected in his death.
Since January 6, the mystery about Nance wasn’t a question of who he is but where he went.
On that day, his sister Lisa Veber said, Nance was supposed to show up for a National Guard drill, something he’d been talking about with his family over Christmas.
He hadn’t missed a drill in 32 years with the National Guard. But, uncharacteristically, Nance didn’t show.
Later, they found his car abandoned with only a cell phone left inside. No one saw or heard from him since.
Martin Nance was 49.
In a statement on Facebook, his sister wrote:
I have sad news to report. A fisherman found Marty’s body in the Willamette River near Waverley Country Club on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. The medical examiner positively identified him on Thursday and we were notified last night. There are no signs of foul play noted and the cause of death will likely be drowning. It is likely his body has been in the water since he went missing but we may never know.
This is not the outcome we wanted and my heart breaks for the pain he was silently suffering with and for which we were unaware.
If you are suffering with depression or thoughts of suicide, please, I implore you to reach out to someone or call: 18002738255
We have many good memories of him and I know he is sitting with my mom in heaven as they get ready to celebrate their birthdays together again next week on the 2nd and 3rd.
This is excruciating and I thank everyone out there, family, friends and strangers for your kindness and prayers during our search.
Lisa