Francis Thomas Grice, Jr Obituary, Death – Authorities in Multnomah County have released new information after a tragic incident on Sauvie Island earlier in the week. According to the sheriff’s office, a man was discovered deceased following a vehicle fire that occurred Monday afternoon along a rural stretch of Northwest Oak Island Road. The situation has prompted a formal investigation as officials work to understand what led to the fatal event.
Deputies were dispatched to the scene shortly before 3 p.m. on December 8, after reports came in of a pickup truck that had caught fire. When emergency personnel arrived in the 23000 block of Northwest Oak Island Road, they found the vehicle heavily damaged and a body located nearby. The area, known for its open farmland and limited traffic, quickly became the focus of a coordinated response from deputies, fire crews, and investigators.
Officials identified the victim as 39-year-old Francis Thomas Grice, Jr. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office noted that, based on the evidence available so far, detectives do not believe anyone else was inside the pickup at the time of the incident. This early assessment helps narrow the direction of the investigation, but many questions remain unanswered about what caused the vehicle to catch fire and how the events unfolded.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined. In situations like this, investigators typically assess vehicle condition, roadway evidence, timing of the fire, witness accounts, and other environmental factors. Because of the nature of the incident, toxicology results will also be part of the review process, though those findings are still pending with the medical examiner’s office. These results often take time and are an expected part of death investigations, helping officials gain a clearer understanding of the circumstances leading to the fatal outcome.
Members of the sheriff’s detective unit are handling the case and have classified it as a death investigation. This designation allows for a comprehensive and methodical review, ensuring that all available evidence is collected and evaluated. Officials have stated that no additional details are being shared at this stage, as releasing premature information could complicate the ongoing work. Authorities commonly limit statements early in an investigation until facts can be confirmed.
Although the sheriff’s office has not disclosed what may have caused the pickup truck to ignite or how the victim came to be found outside the vehicle, investigators are continuing to piece together the sequence of events. These efforts may include examining the vehicle’s mechanical history, evaluating fire patterns, collecting forensic samples, and monitoring results from the medical examiner.
Local residents have expressed concern following the announcement, as incidents involving vehicle fires in such quiet areas are relatively uncommon. Sauvie Island, known for its agricultural land, wildlife areas, and recreational sites, typically sees lower traffic volumes, especially during weekday afternoons. That environment has prompted additional interest in understanding how such a serious incident occurred under conditions usually considered low-risk.
Authorities are encouraging anyone who may have been traveling near Northwest Oak Island Road around the time of the crash to come forward if they observed anything unusual. Even minor details—such as seeing the vehicle before emergency crews arrived or noticing smoke in the area—may help investigators better understand what happened.
As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office will provide additional updates if new information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on completing a thorough review of all evidence to determine the cause of the incident and bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding the death of Francis Thomas Grice, Jr.
