Missing California man who was doing remote work in Kelso found dead

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By Yosi Yahoudai
Founder and Managing Partner

Police said Saturday that 35-year-old Shun Riley was found dead in the Coweeman River and an investigation is ongoing.

KELSO, Wash — The 35-year-old man who was last seen leaving a hotel in Washington has been found dead more than a week after his disappearance, according to the Kelso Police Department. 

Police said that Shun Riley’s body was located in the Coweeman River near Manasco Drive on Saturday around 3:13 p.m. 

Riley was last seen leaving a Comfort Inn & Suites at the Three Rivers Mall complex by Manasco Drive on May 9 around 2:40 a.m., according to the Kelso Police Department. In the security camera footage, Riley appeared to be in “extreme distress,” police said.

He had been doing remote work for an oil company, and before he disappeared, his wife told KGW she received a disturbing phone call.

“I felt like it was in his pocket — it was a lot of rambling for like three minutes. I hung up and called back, calling his name out and I hear, ‘Go this way, go this way’ so I assumed something happened,” Mary recalled. “I called the hotel, ‘Can you do a wellness check on my husband?’ at 3 in the morning. They said his room was unlocked and he’s not in there.”

When Riley’s family flew out to Washington and searched for him, they discovered his hotel room was still full of his belongings. 

The cause of his death has not been determined, and the investigation is ongoing, police said. The family is asking for privacy at this time.  

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About the Author
Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.