Camas father, son missing and presumed dead after boat capsizes near Columbia River Bar

By Shari Phiel, Columbian staff writer

Published: July 18, 2024, 3:35pm

Updated: July 18, 2024, 3:42pm

A Camas father and son are missing and presumed dead after their 26-foot fishing boat capsized Saturday near the Columbia River Bar, west of Astoria, Ore.

Constantin Leahu, 43, and son Andrei, who turned 11 a day earlier, were on a birthday fishing trip when the incident occurred.

The U.S. Coast Guard contacted 911 dispatchers at 10:50 a.m. Saturday to advise they were bringing two of the capsized boat’s five passengers to shore for medical care. A third person found floating face down in the water was also on board, with CPR in progress.

“Three were recovered and taken to the hospital, and unfortunately, one of them was pronounced deceased at the hospital,” Petty Officer Briana Carter said.

Two charter boats in the area, the Marr B III and Westwind, helped pull the two survivors from the water.

A Coast Guard helicopter and rescue lifeboat continued to search the area for the missing father and son before calling off the search at nightfall.

Why the boat capsized has not been determined but the bar crossing, where the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean meet, is known for rough conditions.

No additional information about the identities of the other passengers has been made available.

A family friend and godmother to the children, Irina Negrean, said Constantin Leahu was dedicated to his wife, Venera, their four daughters and their son. She said he was devoutly religious and loved to fish. The family attended St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Beaverton, Ore.

“They were very involved with the church and would volunteer their time. The children would help with church events and Andrei was an altar boy,” she said by phone Thursday. “It’s a huge loss to our community. This was a huge shock.”

Leahu owned a construction company that built decks, fences and other outdoor spaces.

Negrean said Leahu and his son loved to fish and had been looking forward to Andrei’s first time on a fishing boat.

“He was … the kind of man that if you asked him something, he would move heaven and earth to make that happen,” she said.

Negrean said Andrei was a sweet and loving child but he could also be a little mischievous.

“You don’t often see an 11-year-old boy full of mischief and naughtiness but he was constantly seen around the church holding his baby sisters,” she said.

A GoFundMe page has been created on the family behalf.

A short prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday at St John the Baptist church, 14485 S.W. Walker Road in Beaverton. Negrean said the service is for family and friends to find comfort in one another and pray for the Leahus. She said anyone is welcome to attend.