PORTLAND, Ore. — The dead body found inside a car by police on Monday night is likely 89-year-old Marcine Herinck, who was missing for nearly a week, police said.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner said the victim died of homicidal violence, according to Portland police.
The driver of the Camry, 58-year-old Timothy J. Mackley, was identified by police on Monday as a person of interest in the investigation into the disappearance of Herinck, Officers stopped Mackley when he was driving on Southeast Holgate Boulevard on Monday night and found Herinck's body inside the trunk, police said.
On Tuesday, a search group dedicated to finding the woman confirmed she had been found dead.
"It is with deepest sorrow that we share with you that the beloved Marcine has been found and is no longer with us," a Tuesday night post on the group's Facebook page reads. "On behalf of the family, we would like to thank all those that spent countless hours searching and praying to bring her home."
Earlier on Tuesday, Marcine Herinck’s family shared in a since-deleted Facebook post that she was found dead. Neither post said how she died or where she was found.
Herinck was reported missing on Sept. 19.
During the investigation, investigators, family members and volunteers searched the neighborhood near Herinck's home, located in the 1500 block of Northeast 150th Avenue, as well as the Glendoveer Golf Course, located at 14015 Northeast Glisan Street. A community member told police they'd seen Herinck at about 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 19 walking near the golf course.
Family said Herinck was involved in her church and spent time volunteering at a local thrift shop and food bank. The family said she volunteered on Sept. 18, and that someone gave her a ride home that night. That was the last time she was seen.
According to family, her purse was found on the kitchen floor, a cup of coffee was in the microwave, her garage and front doors were open, and the clothes she wore the night before were on her bed. Family said Herinck had some memory problems but was coherent the majority of the time.
She was remembered as a loving, selfless woman in the post on the Facebook search group.
"Marcine will be remembered for her soft, gentle spirit and the life she dedicated to others," the post said.