Remains Found Near St. Johns Bridge Identified After More Than 3 Decades – KXL

PORTLAND, Ore. – Human remains discovered more than three decades ago near the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland have been identified as those of Bryant Edward Deane, authorities announced Monday.

Deane, who was born on Aug. 2, 1952, is believed to have been 39 at the time of his death. His skeletal remains were found in 1992 by workers clearing brush in the area. Despite extensive investigation, his identity had remained unknown until this year.

The breakthrough came through the work of the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that assists with cold cases using forensic genetic genealogy. Volunteers with the group, in partnership with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, helped trace Deane’s identity after developing a DNA profile from the remains.

The case had gone cold shortly after the discovery. Initial forensic analysis determined the remains were of a white male, approximately 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-5 in height, with signs of arthritis and healed fractures. Experts also noted that the man likely walked with a limp due to uneven leg length. He was believed to have died about a year before the remains were found.

Clothing found with the body—a maroon fleece-lined jacket, dark denim pants, MacGregor ankle boots, and cotton gloves—suggested he died in winter. Investigators also recovered brown hair and dental evidence, but no leads on his identity surfaced at the time.

In 2011, the case was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and DNA was entered into federal databases, but no matches were found. Additional DNA testing in 2019 also failed to identify him.

Progress accelerated in 2024 when the medical examiner’s office partnered with the DNA Doe Project. Advanced DNA sequencing performed by Astrea Forensics led to the creation of a genealogical profile, which was uploaded to GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA databases. From there, volunteers traced potential relatives through family trees and historical records.

By August 2025, they had located a man believed to be Deane’s brother, who confirmed through DNA testing that the remains were indeed those of Bryant Edward Deane.

Dr. Sean Hurst, Oregon’s chief medical examiner, made the official identification in October. Portland police have been notified, though the cause and manner of Deane’s death remain undetermined.