Man apprehended in Colorado ‘connected’ to human remains found in TD Storage unit
U-Haul storage facility in The Dalles, Ore.
By Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 25, 2025 — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with human remains discovered at a U-Haul storage facility in The Dalles.
U.S. Marshals arrested Richard Michael Robinson, 59, in Colorado on a warrant for failure to register as a sex offender.
Verified sources said there is “good reason to believe the man is connected to the remains found in the U-Haul storage unit.”
Additional details about the arrest will be reported when available.
Human remains were discovered Tuesday, July 29, at the U-Haul storage facility on West Sixth Street in The Dalles after a citizen purchased an abandoned storage locker and reported a suspicious container to police.
The discovery prompted a multiagency investigation led by the Mid-Columbia Major Crimes Team, with support from the Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory and coordination from the Wasco County District Attorney’s Office.
According to The Dalles Police Department, the call came in just before 9:40 a.m. July 29, when the individual contacted dispatch to report what appeared to be human remains inside the container. Officers responded quickly and secured the scene at 2640 W. Sixth St. After an initial assessment, authorities determined the situation warranted a full-scale investigation and requested activation of the regional major crimes unit.
By 5 p.m., investigators had obtained a search warrant and executed it with forensic support from the state police crime lab. Human remains were officially recovered during the search.
Police said the identity of the deceased will be determined by the State Medical Examiner’s Office following an autopsy. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging the public to refrain from speculation.
“Every available resource is being brought to bear to investigate this potential crime,” The Dalles Police Chief Tom M. Worthy said at the time. “I have every confidence in the abilities of our detectives and our partner agencies assisting us in this investigation.”
The Mid-Columbia Major Crimes Team includes members from multiple jurisdictions across the region, including law enforcement from Wasco, Hood River, Sherman and Gilliam counties.
Authorities have not released further details about the case, including how long the remains may have been stored or whether foul play is suspected. Updates will be shared when the investigation allows.
From the initial default to the legal sale of contents, it generally takes at least four weeks to auction a storage unit, depending on how quickly the facility acts.
