Marco Antonio Herrera, 44, has been arrested and charged with the 2022 death of Jeremy Gurtner, who was found in the Columbia River Slough.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A suspect has been arrested in connection with a four-year homicide investigation regarding a man found dead in the Columbia River Slough.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said detectives and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested Marco Antonio Herrera, 44, at a Portland residence Friday morning. Officers took him into custody without incident, and Herrera was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and is currently being held without bail.
Herrera faces a second-degree murder charge with a firearm enhancement, MCSO said. The agency did not give further details about the investigation, including how Herrera was identified as a suspect and if the two men knew each other.
The charge stems from the death of Jeremy Gurtnerwho was found dead on April 8, 2022, in the Columbia River Slough near the intersection of Northeast 105th Avenue and Northeast Alderwood Road in Portland.
Detectives at the time estimated that he had been dead anywhere between four days and two weeks. MCSO said that Gurtner had never been reported missing, and his family learned of his death when investigators notified next of kin.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined his cause of death as homicide via gunshot wound.
Gurtner’s cousin, Chrysanthius Lathan, described him to KGW as “inarguably one of the smartest people I know.”
“He could do anything he put his mind to. He could fix anything from a Walkman to a car alternator. He could fix or do anything. He could cook, draw. He was handsome,” Lathan said.
MCSO said in addition to being aided by the U.S. Marshals, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the East County Major Crimes Team — which consists of the Gresham Police Department, Port of Portland Police and the Oregon State Police — played a role in the investigation.
“We are relieved to bring this measure of closure and resolution to Mr. Gurtner’s family, who have waited so long for justice,” MCSO said in a statement.
Herrera is scheduled to appear in court on May 26.
