Kennewick Woman Found in River Near Yakima Identified

Officials say her death appears to be accidental, but toxocology results could take a while.

The body of a woman found in the Tieton River near Yakima over the weekend has been identified as 42-year-old Melissa D. McClanning of Kennewick. The Tieton is a fast-moving tributary of the Naches River, but there are some slower moving areas with shallow shoreline water.

She'd been reported as a missing person, having last been seen Thursday. It is not known if anyone was with her at the time of, or near the time, when she died.

She was spotted by a citizen in what officials say was near an undeveloped campground on the edge of the Tieton River near Highway 12. She was found in shallow water near the river's edge.

Yakima county officials say they will perform the autopsy, and say the death appears to be an accident. Toxocology results might not be available until late August or early September.