Home / Crime and Justice / 14-Year-Old Suspected Fentanyl Overdose Death
14-Year-Old Suspected Fentanyl Overdose Death
9 May
Summary
- A 14-year-old missing teen was found dead in Portland.
- Preliminary findings suggest fentanyl overdose as the cause of death.
- This marks the first suspected juvenile overdose death this year.
A 14-year-old boy from Tigard, Oregon, identified as Chayton Owings, was discovered deceased on the Eastbank Esplanade in Portland on May 4th. Police are investigating the incident, with preliminary findings indicating a suspected fentanyl overdose as the cause of death. Owings had been reported missing on March 19th, having reportedly run away from a rehabilitation center.
Authorities believe the teenager may have been staying in homeless encampments near the Hawthorne Bridge. His father expressed his grief, having learned of his son's passing through social media. This tragic event represents the first suspected juvenile overdose death in Portland in 2026, with previous years seeing multiple such fatalities.
Portland Police Bureau Chief Bob Day described the outcome as heartbreaking and emphasized the pervasive dangers of illicit drugs, particularly for young individuals. The community is urged to recognize the risks associated with these substances. Resources are available for those struggling with substance abuse.
