North Portland Fire Alerts Local Law Enforcement of Suspicious Death

Posted on behalf of RizkLaw on Dec 26, 2022 in Personal Injury

The Portland police responded to a fire in November 2022, which is now being investigated as a homicide. Firefighters initially discovered the body of a 56-year-old named Jesse Ray Burns Jr. after extinguishing the fire on North Thunderbird Way near the old concrete grain elevator along the Willamette River. The medical examiner ruled the cause of death was smoke inhalation. Anyone who has additional information regarding the incident should contact the Portland police bureau. 

The Rizk Law lawyers understand the grief of losing a loved one, especially in incidents involving negligence or recklessness. If you have suffered the passing of a family member, an experienced wrongful death lawyer can help you take the next steps to hold the responsible party accountable under the law. These lawsuits may compensate the surviving family members for their expenses, including medical bills, funeral costs, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Portland Police Ruled Suspicious Death a Homicide 

Local law enforcement responded to a fire in November 2022, discovering a 56-year-old man after extinguishing a structure fire in a shipping container. Initially, the Portland police bureau deemed it a suspicious death, which an autopsy confirmed was a homicide by inhalation. 

Police have not yet identified what started the fire and have an ongoing homicide investigation underway, making it the 95th homicide in the city so far this year. There are no known suspects. 

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Oregon 

In the event of a fatality caused by a wrongful act or omission of another that could have resulted in a personal injury claim had the deceased survived, his or her personal representative can seek a wrongful death claim on their behalf. In Oregon, however, only the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate can file the lawsuit. If the deceased has prepared a will, they typically will have an appointed executor. If there is no last will, or if the appointed representative cannot serve, the court can appoint someone.

Representatives may include the following: 

  • Surviving spouse
  • Surviving children
  • Surviving parents
  • Stepchildren
  • Stepparents
  • Others who are under the law of intestate succession in the state of the decedent’s domicile would be entitled to inherit the deceased’s property

To seek wrongful death damages, the death must have resulted from the legal fault of an individual in one of the following incidents: 

  • Negligence-based incident 
  • Medical malpractice 
  • Intentional act, such as a crime

In a successful Portland wrongful death claim, you may recover monetary compensation caused by your loved one’s death, which may include economic and non-economic losses. Additionally, Oregon law authorizes you to seek compensation for reasonable burial and funeral services.

Contact the Rizk Law Lawyers About Your Portland Wrongful Death Claim 

Proving wrongful death may be challenging without the help of an experienced lawyer. The Rizk Law lawyers understand how to navigate complex wrongful death claims, including conducting an extensive investigation to prove that another party’s actions led to your loved one’s death. Coping with the unexpected loss of a family member can be painful and overwhelming. We want you to focus on healing during this difficult time, not on legal issues. With our track record of success, we manage the entire legal process on your behalf.   

Schedule a free consultation today by calling (503) 245-5677 or filling out our contact form. Anyone who has additional information regarding the homicide of Jesse Ray Burns Jr. should contact the Portland police bureau.