Body recovered from Copalis River Monday identified

The body found in the Copalis River Monday has been identified as that of Jeffrey A. Hild, 57, of Enumclaw.

According to Grays Harbor County Coroner Robert G. Kegel, Hild was visiting a friend in Ocean City and was reported missing to the Ocean Shores Police Department Sunday, Aug. 29.

Kegel said an autopsy conducted Tuesday showed the cause of the death to be drowning. The manner of death is undetermined. The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but Undersheriff Brad Johansson said Wednesday the investigation so far has not turned up anything suspicious.

“The victim was reported to have dementia from a brain injury and had a history of wandering off,” said Johansson. While it appears to have been an accidental drowning the investigation in determining the manner of Hild’s death will continue pending toxicology and other tests.