Marco Antonio Herrera, 44, has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2022 death of Jeremy Gurtner, who was found in a Columbia River swamp.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A suspect has been arrested in connection with a four-year homicide investigation of a man found in a Columbia River swamp.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said detectives and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force arrested 44-year-old Marco Antonio Herrera at a residence in Portland early Friday morning. Police took him into custody without incident and Herrera was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and is being held without bail.
MCSO said Herrera faces a second-degree murder charge for possession of a firearm. The agency did not provide further details about the investigation, including how Herrera was identified as a suspect and whether the two men knew each other.
The charge stems from a death Jeremy Gurtnerwho is found dead April 8, 2022, on the Columbia River Slough near the intersection of Northeast 105th Avenue and Northeast Alderwood Road in Portland.
Detectives at the time estimated he had been dead between four days and two weeks. MCSO said Gutner was never reported missing and his family only learned of his death when investigators notified next of kin.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined his death to be a homicide from gunshot wounds.
Gutner’s cousin, Chrysanthius Lathan, described him to KGW as “without a doubt one of the smartest people I know.”
“He could do anything he wanted. He could fix anything, from a Walkman to a car alternator. He could fix or do anything. He could cook, draw. He was handsome,” Leson said.
MCSO said in addition to the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the East County Major Crimes Team, comprised of the Gresham Police Department, Port of Portland Police Department and Oregon State Police, also played a role in the investigation.
“We are pleased to be able to bring this closure and resolution to Mr. Gutner’s family, who have waited so long for justice,” MCSO said in a statement.
Herrera is scheduled to appear in court on May 26.
