Purchaser of abandoned storage unit in The Dalles finds Human Remains
2640 W. Sixth Street, The Dalles
The Dalles, Ore., July 30, 2025 — Human remains were discovered Tuesday evening at a storage facility on West 6th Street after a citizen purchased an abandoned storage locker and reported a suspicious container to police.
The discovery has prompted a multi-agency 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. on 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. 6th Street. After an initial assessment, authorities determined the situation warranted a full-scale investigation and requested the 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 say the identity of the deceased will be determined by the State Medical Examiner 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,” said The Dalles Police Chief Tom M. Worthy. “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.
