Coroner: Body found in Lake Sacajawea died from 'medical event'

Officials say the body recovered from Lake Sacajawea on May 28 suffered a medical event.

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Police have identified the remains as Benjamin Gonzalez, 75, but did not disclose where he lived.

Gonzalez was last seen on May 20 in the 2100 block of Ocean Beach Highway in Longview. He had previously been reported missing, according to a department notice.

Preliminary results from the Cowlitz County Coroner's office show Gonzalez had an undisclosed medical event, the notice states.

Originally, reports to dispatch suspected the person discovered in the lake had drowned.

Benjamin Gonzalez

Benjamin Gonzalez, 75, of an unknown location, was last seen on May 20. His body was found near Longview's Lake Sacajawea days later.

Longview Capt. Branden McNew previously told The Daily News that the body was found in the water, along the shoreline on Nichols Boulevard near the Louisiana Street bridge.

Despite the coroner's initial results on the cause of Gonzalez's death, Longview detectives are continuing to investigate.

Police are asking the public to call 360-442-5800 and reference case number L26-15005 if they have any information about this case.

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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 4:23 AM.