PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The death of a man whose body was found in a shipping container after a fire in the Lloyd District is now being treated as a homicide, Portland police said.

Jesse Ray Burns Jr. was initially found by Portland Fire & Rescue crews putting out a fire at 900 North Thunderbird Way on the evening of November 27. Firefighters called police who responded and took over the investigation.

A body was found in a converted shipping container at 900 N Thunderbird in Portland following a fire, November 28, 2022 (KOIN)
A body was found in a converted shipping container at 900 N Thunderbird in Portland following a fire, November 28, 2022 (KOIN)

Burns died by smoke inhalation and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. He was 56.

The case remains open and active.

PPB urges anyone with information on the incident to contact Detective Jeff Pontius at jeffery.pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503.823.0433, or Detective Steve Gandy at stephen.gandy@police.portlandoregon.gov or 503.823.0449.

An unofficial tally by KOIN 6 News shows Burns‘ death is the 90th homicide of the year in the city of Portland.

KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops.