LONGVIEW — Lewis County Coroner’s Office announced the identity of the dead body found in the Cowlitz River near Toledo last Friday as Joseph Slepski, 76, of Maple Valley.
Chief Kevin Engelbertson of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office told The Daily News they found Slepski’s body “log-jammed” in debris and he was possibly fishing before his untimely demise.
Engelbertson said law enforcement used a civilian’s boat to locate the body. He also added there is “nothing suspicious” about Slepski’s death and he may have fallen into the water while fishing. The Lewis County Coroner’s Office stated in their press release that the cause and manner of Slepski’s passing are pending forensic testing results.
Deputies responded to a welfare check at Blue Creek Boat Launch for Slepski, who did not return home on time. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered his truck and camper, but Slepski himself was nowhere to be found. They questioned nearby fishermen, but none saw Slepski.
