Lane County, OR Missing Woman Found Dead in McKenzie River

Lane County, OR – A woman found dead in the McKenzie River last week has been identified as a 27-year-old who had been reported missing days earlier, authorities announced Monday.

According to the Lane County Sheriff's Office, deputies and Eugene Springfield Fire personnel responded around 2 p.m. Friday after receiving a report of a person seen in the McKenzie River downstream from Armitage Park.

First responders located the person deceased and recovered her from the river, the sheriff's office said.

Authorities have now identified the woman as Gina Christina Piazza, 27, who had been reported missing on Sunday, Sept. 20.

The sheriff's office did not provide additional information Monday about when or where Piazza was last seen before she was reported missing. Officials also did not release a suspected cause or manner of death.

Investigators said the circumstances surrounding Piazza's death remain under investigation.

Authorities emphasized, however, that there is no ongoing threat to the community associated with the case.

The sheriff's office also thanked the people and agencies that assisted with efforts to locate Piazza after she was reported missing.

The McKenzie River flows through Lane County and into the Eugene-Springfield area, with Armitage Park located along the river north of Eugene.