Suspect Arrested in 2022 Columbia Slough Homicide Investigation

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Detectives with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, working alongside the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the 2022 homicide of Jeremy Gurtner.

The investigation began on April 8, 2022, when Gurtner’s body was discovered in the Columbia River Slough near the intersection of Northeast 105th Avenue and Northeast Alderwood Road in Portland.

An autopsy conducted by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office later determined Gurtner died from a gunshot wound and ruled the death a homicide.

Because the body was found within the Columbia River Slough, detectives with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation. Authorities said homicide detectives spent more than four years following up on tips and leads in the case.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. Friday, May 22, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force received information that the suspect, Marco Antonio Herrera, was at a residence in the 200 block of Southwest 8th Avenue in Portland. Officers took Herrera into custody without incident.

Investigators described the arrest as the result of years of investigative work by sheriff’s office detectives and partner agencies.

Herrera was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 1:02 p.m. Friday. He is being held without bail on a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement.

Authorities said Herrera is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Multnomah County Justice Center in Courtroom No. 3.

The sheriff’s office also credited the East County Major Crimes Team and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for assisting in the investigation. The East County Major Crimes Team includes detectives from the Gresham Police Department, Port of Portland Police, and Oregon State Police.

Officials said no additional details about the case are being released at this time as the investigation remains ongoing.

Authorities emphasized that criminal charges are allegations only, and Herrera is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.