On the afternoon of September 18, 2004, Portland Fire Bureau crews responding to smoke at a residence on 9742 N James Street found the home’s occupant, 57-year-old Thomas Swift, dead inside. Although a fire was present, the State Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound, not the blaze, and the scene was treated as a homicide.

Swift was described as intensely private; one known detail about his routine was that he often visited Sauvie Island’s Columbia Beach. That privacy has complicated the investigation, leaving few public leads about his personal contacts or possible motives.

No suspects or arrests have been publicly identified and the case is assigned to the Cold Case Homicide Unit. If anyone knew Thomas Swift or has information about his movements or associations in the weeks before September 18, 2004, please come forward.