In the late hours of a Wednesday in Portland, Oregon, police were called to a home on Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard for a welfare check. A friend of Derek Rieth, a 43-year-old White / Caucasian male, had become concerned after not hearing from him for several hours. When officers arrived at the residence on August 20, 2014, they made a grim discovery.
Inside, they found the renowned musician deceased.
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that Rieth had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death was officially ruled a suicide, and as a result, there was no criminal investigation, and no suspects were sought. A shotgun was recovered from the scene. The news of his sudden passing sent a shockwave through the music community, both in his hometown of Portland and around the world.
In the days that followed, his band, Pink Martini, released a statement confirming that Rieth had taken his own life after a long and difficult struggle with bipolar disorder. He was remembered as a beloved son, brother, and friend whose passion for music had touched thousands. A founding member of the eclectic and popular band, Rieth was a talented percussionist who had traveled the globe, performing on six continents and contributing to all eight of the band's studio albums. Despite the tragedy, the band resolved to continue their scheduled performances, believing it was what Rieth would have wanted.
