Found Deceased OR - Owen Klinger, 18, University of Portland, 6 Oct 2019

[Z1880s]

I found myself interested in this disappearance because my initial reaction was he was met with foul play and still is. This thread is a series of suicide monologues which of course it could come out to be a suspected or suspicious suicide, suspicious in many homicide victims are displayed as such by their predators. Is it because he is a male? I do not remember people assuming Heather Graham or the Sugar Baby escort of clearly being suicides, but being respected as potential victims and searched for immediately by police as potential victims. The theories of train hopping or into the void really derailed finding this tall, intelligent, and handsome young man alive and well. IMO, there are far too many cases of young, highly intelligent, mindful college males, oops slipping into lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams across the USA. I feel if this was a female victim missing, the conversation would not have been so 180, for example look at that poor upset drunk Heather, she must have committed suicide for insert 50 reasons why.

I agree. It's hard to read all the arguments that it was probably suicide and keep thinking I hate the thought of me every being found dead and everyone assuming I killed myself when I had actually been murdered. I would hate to have people think that if it had happened to my child. We can all make guesses but until we hear any news about the circumstances (any pre-death injuries, dead when put into the water, etc.) we don't know. People do get murdered, and I can see it happening to a young trusting type guy. I'm not sure how busy that bridge is on a Sunday night, but Portland is a busy place in general. You would think if he had jumped someone would have seen a guy walking on the bridge and taken notice.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

2 hours ago
“PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The parents of Owen Klinger thanked everyone who helped search for their 18-year-old son during the 2 weeks he was missing. Mary and Dustin Klinger said a body found near the St. Johns Bridge on Sunday was him.

The Klingers briefly spoke after a regularly scheduled mass at the University of Portland brought friends and family together.

UP President Fr. Mark Poorman said the mass was a chance to ‘remember Owen and to mourn the loss of Owen.’

Mary Klinger repeatedly thanked everyone who helped in the search for Owen, who was last seen October 6.

[SBM]

Fighting back tears, she spoke about her son.

‘Owen was such a beautiful, beautiful soul. We were all blessed by the chance we had to know him. When he started college here I wanted him to be present in this place and make a contribution to the group. And when I gave him that advice I did not think he was listening. But he has made a tremendous contribution to this group by revealing how much we need each other and how connected we all are.’

Dustin Klinger said they are ‘eternally grateful’ for the time, talent and prayers that have poured out over the past few weeks.

University of Portland spokesperson Michael Lewellyn said plans for a memorial service haven’t been finalized. He also said law enforcement and the medical examiner’s office are still involved at this time.“ (BBM)
Parents: ‘Owen Klinger was a beautiful soul’

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2360961020698256

 

[bykerladi]

This poor baby. How sad. RIP Owen. I hope you realize now how much you were loved.

 

[Teche]

Prayers for Owen’s loved ones. RIP, Owen.

 

[daydreamingbraindoc]

Officially identified.

Body found in Willamette River ID’d as Owen Klinger

Rest In Peace.

 

[claudianunes]

So so so sad.

 

[doyoulovemepfg]

Just watched that video and I’m crying again. Owen was (and still is) so loved.

 

[Bree1950]

The news announcement said the medical examiner has not announced a cause of death. Is it normal to take this long?

 

[doyoulovemepfg]

The news announcement said the medical examiner has not announced a cause of death. Is it normal to take this long?

Yes, especially if the body has been outside awhile and/or the injuries that led to death are ambiguous without further testing. It’s still been less than 72 hours since he was found.

 

[gsleuth]

BBM

While it’s true that we may never know for sure if Owen took his own life, suicide needs to be talked about. I’ve been on many threads that turned out to be suicide...a teen, a young mother, a happily married world traveler, a man in his late ‘40’s, etc. The common denominator was depression that got beyond their ability to cope.

I learned a lot from WS members on these threads who had either had suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide and generously shared their feelings that had engulfed them. Most reached a point of utter hopelessness...feeling that the darkness would never end. And most were convinced that they were a burden to their family and that their loved ones would be better off without them. So within their distorted thinking there was an element of unselfishness. And once they had made the decision, friends who had realized they were depressed noticed that they were in a better frame of mind...not because the depression lifted but because it would soon end.

On at least one of these threads some could not accept the possibility of suicide, and even after it was conclusive, they believed it was foul play by the husband. So it’s clear that suicide is a very uncomfortable topic...either due to ignorance about depression or moral or religious beliefs.

Suicide among teens and young adults has spiked in the past decade as these articles point out. Acknowledging the problem is the first step to fixing it, whether this was Owen’s fate or not.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/heal...4194c6-f04a-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html

Suicide among teens and young adults reaches highest level since 2000

Thank you for sharing here. It is quite disturbing that so many young people are taking their own lives. A lot of young people are suffering with anxiety..due to overwhelming pressure. I believe social media and lack of real life/face to face interaction plays a part in this. The pressure and expectation of what society portrays as success is unrealistic. The displaying of happy pics and ''friends'' responding to their posts on social media to feel acceptance is a false sense of happiness imo.

Youth Suicide Statistics - Parent Resource Program

This is a world-wide problem..not just the US.
''Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the world for those aged 15-24 years.''
Suicide Statistics and Facts – SAVE

 

[10ofRods]

The news announcement said the medical examiner has not announced a cause of death. Is it normal to take this long?

They will undoubtedly want a toxicology report. That can take up to 10-14 days here in SoCal, don't know about Portland's turnover rate. If he drowned, they'll want to know if it is secondary to some cause such as alcohol or drugs. They need all the pieces.

 

[gsleuth]

I'm heartbroken after following this one closely. I had hoped this would not be the outcome, but suspected it would be.

Although I still think there's a good chance that he met with foul play after taking the money out in order to buy something/pay for a service of some kind, I don't think suicide is farfetched despite the ATM withdrawal. I think it's very possible he withdrew the money to give away, but didn't empty the whole account because some of the money was supplied by his parents. Maybe the $150 is what he saw as 'his' money, versus what they'd given him. He might have reasoned that the rest was not really his to give away.

Also, as someone who has struggled with suicide ideation since childhood ... I'd ask that anyone who has picked up the quip about 'permanent solution to a temporary problem' try to banish it from your vernacular. Although it's true that SOME people die by suicide as an immediate reaction to a circumstance, for many people who die that way, it is NOT a temporary problem. It's something they've been struggling with for years. As catchy as the phrase is, it implies shortsightedness or weakness when the truth is that the person might just have finally decided enough was enough after years of pushing through extreme distress with resilience few people will ever understand. If I ever don't outlast a dark episode, it will not be shortsightedness--because I know every time that it's NOT going to end. There are respites, but they are not permanent. It'll be that a terminal illness finally got me, just like someone might die of cancer after a long illness.

Everything I've read makes me think that Owen and I are very similar. Deeply sensitive and compassionate, introspective but also uninterested in burdening others with our problems. My parents had no clue I'd been struggling with suicide and self-harm since grade school until they got a call from me while I was away at college, age 20. I asked them to come get me because I wasn't okay. I called because I had a good friend like Owen's roommate--but he had the additional insight of a suicide attempt in his past, he saw troubling signs and told me I could call my parents or he would call them for me. If suicide was Owen's end, I'm only very sorry chance didn't happen to throw a barrier in his path long enough to slow him down so someone could help him.

Beautiful post. Thank you for allowing us to understand better. I highlighted parts of your post that really stood out. Sensitive with empathy for others..that is a gift. Bless your heart.

 

[gsleuth]

That video makes me so incredibly sad. It sounds like a cliche to say that he was a bright young man with his life stretched out before him... but it's true. RIP Owen.

A gentle soul..and probably very creative. His yt channel gives a little insight.

 

[obripe]

Maybe you aren't aware, it sounded condescending (or is it passive aggressive sarcasm?), especially this part: "And in good spirit, I will add that I think you mean “legal counsel” as opposed to “legal council” but I’m not that astute." Or was that supposed to be funny? Sometimes it's hard to tell in this format.

I interpreted "in good spirit" to mean just that.

 

[Cybrtygrr]

Loved his sharing about himself earlier. What happened that night dude? Maybe you can tell us somehow, some little clue; forensic science is so advanced nowadays they may be able to piece things together. Help the police if someone did something to you. But if you just want to rest that’s fine too. Sorry we lost you.

 

[Artstinger2000]

RBBM, I 100% agree with with that part. Pretty much why my first or second thought in this thread was asking what the nearest body of water would be. I don't believe in the college aged men/smiley face graffiti crap, however, one cannot deny some sort of link between college aged men disappearing only to be found in a body of water. JMO and all that jazz.

I thought it was crap as well .. but then stumbled on to a show abt the smiley face.. a retired detective absolutely believes a link for the reasons someone mentioned.. missing 2 weeks, found in water, but the decomposition looked like just a day or so not weeks. Ghb also another connection in several cases.. it’s strange. Sure ppl get drunk but so drunk they fall in water and drown.. I don’t know. And if he’s going to commit suicide why get money out? Seems more likely the money was for going out. I just watched the missing segment on live PD where Owen was featured.. My heart goes out to the family.

 

[Kohell]

I am new here as a poster <modsnip: dreams and/or psychic impressions are not allowed> I think it may have been a drug deal gone wrong in a vehicle and he got in some trouble. I’m not sure but these are just the feelings I got in this case. Taking out 150 dollars to commit suicide makes zero sense. He also does not give off the energy of someone who purposely committed suicide.

 

[Detectivediva]

I am new here as a poster <modsnip: dreams and/or psychic impressions are not allowed> I think it may have been a drug deal gone wrong in a vehicle and he got in some trouble. I’m not sure but these are just the feelings I got in this case. Taking out 150 dollars to commit suicide makes zero sense. He also does not give off the energy of someone who purposely committed suicide.

Welcome. <modsnip: quoted post was modsnipped>

As sad as it is...OK likely jumped from the bridge known for suicides. It happens all the time unfortunately. I would say most missing persons cases (that result in the missing person found deceased) end this way (or drug OD). Not all of course but a lot. Most of the time family and friends had no idea the person was considering self harm. If you stick around here...you'll see.

May his family and friends have solace and may Owen RIP.

 

[raja]

I just still can't see this as suicide. JMHO Sending prayers to the family. I hope LE fully investigate this especially since they sort of sent people off in the wrong direction to begin with....MOO

 

[Kohell]

Welcome. <modsnip: quoted post was modsnipped>

As sad as it is...OK likely jumped from the bridge known for suicides. It happens all the time unfortunately. I would say most missing persons cases (that result in the missing person found deceased) end this way (or drug OD). Not all of course but a lot. Most of the time family and friends had no idea the person was considering self harm. If you stick around here...you'll see.

May his family and friends have solace and may Owen RIP.

<modsnip> And I honestly think it’s rude, until we find out otherwise, to assume someone took their own life. If your suicidal, I can’t imagine taking out 150 dollars, to just kill your self. Who does that?