PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A wounded man found in Southeast Portland has been in the hospital for days — but officials didn’t know who he was until Sunday morning.
Cody Denney, 25, was identified by his distinct tattoos, which say “Born in Florida” and “Made in Oregon.”
Family friend Nicole Riggs saw posts online and knew the tattoos.
“I was scrolling through Facebook and saw the sketch and it looked familiar to me,” Riggs told KOIN 6 News. “Then when I saw the tattoos ‘Made in Oregon, born in Florida,’ I knew right there that was Cody because I knew the circumstances behind the tattoo.”
Portland police said Denney was found just before 8 a.m. Friday morning near SE 92nd Avenue and Knapp Street. He was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries.
Riggs said Denney is like a son to her since he was a kid, growing up in the same neighborhood where he was found unconscious.
“It was really surreal, I mean, you see this stuff on TV and happening to other families, but you never think it’s going to hit home and it does,” Riggs said. “So that’s how I feel. I feel like one of my kids is in trouble.”
Riggs said Denney was with a friend Thursday night and walked home around 1 a.m. but no one knows what happened to him between then and when he was found around 8 a.m.
“We need answers,” Riggs said. “Cody is a very kind, loving person. You could have walked up and asked him for something and he would have given it to you. We don’t know why this happened but we would like to know why and hold whoever is accountable, accountable.”
Riggs said Denney is stable but currently on life support. A GoFundMe has been set up to help with medical expenses.
Anyone with information about the case can call 503.823.3333.