Man Last Seen at Washington Casino Three Years Ago Body Found

Three years ago, a man was last seen at the ilani Casino Resort in Washington State, and now, his body has been identified by the Cowlitz County Coroners Office. 

They revealed the man's identity on Sunday: Terry “TJ” Shinaver, 32, of St Helens, Oregon. 

His body was discovered on Dec. 7 inside a truck that was in the water in Woodland. 

In other Washington casino-related news, a couple was arrested in September at Muckleshoot Casino. 

Ruled Accidental Drowning

Per the coroner’s office, the autopsy revealed that Shinaver died after accidental drowning. 

His identity was determined thanks to dental records, and no other details of his injuries were revealed. 

The truck was found by a tow truck driver looking for another vehicle in the area. The tow trucker driver spotted the truck in the water. 

“Law Enforcement had been called out to recover a vehicle that had gone off the road and into the water off Dike Road in Woodland,” according to a statement from the coroner’s office. “When the tow truck recovered the vehicle, they realized that the one they retrieved was not the one they were there to recover, and this vehicle had someone in it. The vehicle recovered … belong[ed] to Terry Shinaver.”

Last Seen at ilani Casino Resort

Shinaver was last seen on Apr. 30, 2021, and has been considered missing. He was last seen at ilani Casino Resort in Ridgefield. 

ilani Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. 

Shinaver’s body was found roughly six miles from the casino. 

As of now, police haven’t released any theories or details as to what led up to Shinaver’s truck landing in the water, resulting in the accidental drowning. 

The only details we know are that Shinaver was alone in the truck, so no one else appears to have been harmed. 

Following his disappearance, police released details of Shinaver. They said he was six feet tall, about 155 pounds, and had brown hair and blue eyes. He said he had been wearing a yellow long-sleeved work shirt and Carharrt jeans and boots. 

Shinaver was driving a 1993 Ford Ranger with Oregon plates, which is believed to be the truck he was discovered in. 

Until he was found, a missing person investigation had been underway by the St. Helens Police Department.