Portland police and forensic experts have identified a man whose skeletal remains were discovered near the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland more than three decades ago.
Bryant Edward Deane, who was about 39 years old when he died, was positively identified through advanced genetic genealogy techniques.
Workers first found Deane’s fully skeleton on Aug. 17, 1992, while clearing brush near the bridge. Forensic experts determined he was a white male, between 5-foot-2 and 5-foot-5, with significant physical challenges including arthritic changes and leg length differences that would have caused a noticeable limp.
The medical examiner’s investigation revealed Deane was wearing a maroon fleece-lined jacket, dark jeans, MacGregor ankle boots, and cotton gloves when he died, suggesting the de