On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), found Brian Warzinik, age 44, deceased, near NW 5th Street and NW Monroe Ave. Deputies responded to a call that came in at approximately 11 am.
The call was made by a concerned individual who noticed a middle-aged man sitting unresponsive on a bench near the southwest corner of the courthouse lawn.
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed Warzinik, a transient male, was deceased. Investigators are working to determine the cause of death. At this time, the BCSO says there is no immediate threat to public safety associated with this incident. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
BCSO asks the public to contact Deputy Savage at brigg.savage@bentoncountyor.gov or 541-230-8829 with any information you may have regarding the death of Warzinik.
Corvallis House Fire Reveals Deceased Man, Likely Suicide
On October 2, 2023, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office was called to a scene in NW Corvallis to conduct a death investigation involving a house fire.
At approximately 12 pm, BCSO responded to the residence located in the 3200 block of NW 60th Street, Corvallis, following a request from fire personnel present at the scene.
During their efforts to suppress the fire, firefighters from the Corvallis Fire Department discovered a deceased male inside the structure. They promptly evacuated the lone individual from the residence.
Upon assuming jurisdiction of the case, BCSO determined that the deceased individual, identified as 73-year-old Steven Payne, died of an apparent suicide.
This case remains under investigation; and BCSO says there is no threat to the public related to this incident.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Horn at brian.horn@bentoncountyor.gov or 541-760-4640.
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