Body identified as missing Seattle man

GRANT COUNTY - The body found in 2012 floating in the Columbia River near Vantage was identified Tuesday as a missing Seattle man.

Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison identified the remains as Toshio Ota, 75, ruling his cause of death as homicide from a head injury, according to prepared statement from Morrison.

Working with the Seattle Police Department, investigators used dental records to confirm the identity of the body, according to reports.

Back in August 2012, deputies recovered the remains from the Columbia River less than a mile south of the Vantage Interstate 90 bridge. The body reportedly appeared to have been in the water for an extended length of time and the investigation required a multi-agency approach to identify the body, according to the sheriff's office. Ota had been missing from the Seattle area since March 2011, according to Crimestoppers, with no explanation for his disappearance. He was reportedly in good health when he went missing.

Detectives are still investigating. Anyone with information should contact Detective Kyle Cox at the Grant County Sheriff's Office at 509-754-2011 ext. 468, or send an anonymous tip to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us.