Astoria, OR – The bodies of two men were discovered inside a car submerged in the Willamette River in Newberg on November 26, following a days-long search by local authorities.
On November 25, Newberg police received reports from the families of 40-year-old Benigno Hermenegildo-Pascuala and 39-year-old Eufracio Lopez de Jesus, who had been reported missing after their disappearance on the night of November 24. According to authorities, witnesses had reported seeing the two men in a heated argument that evening, raising concerns for their safety.
Using data from the men’s cell phones, police were able to trace their last known location to Roger’s Landing County Park in Newberg. With this information, investigators focused their search efforts on the area and, on November 26, deployed an underwater camera to scan the river. The submerged car was found in the water, and upon closer inspection, the bodies of Hermenegildo-Pascuala and Lopez de Jesus were discovered inside the vehicle.
At this time, authorities have not determined the cause of death for the two men, and the investigation remains ongoing. Police are working to piece together the events leading up to the men’s deaths and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
The tragic discovery has left both families and the Newberg community in shock, as they await further details surrounding this disturbing incident. Authorities have pledged to continue their investigation to determine the circumstances of the deaths.
