On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 5:00 P.M., the Oregon State police responded to Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area to assist with the rescue of a male who was swept out into the ocean after falling from a rocky bluff. The victim, Henry Minh Hoang (25) of West Covina (CA), was hiking beyond a safety fence in an area known to locals as “the punch bowl” (not to be confused with Devil’s Punch Bowl State Park) when he slipped and fell approximately 20 feet to the waters edge. The victim was reportedly knocked unconscious from the fall and was swept into the ocean by the waves. Witnesses lost sight of the victim and the rescue operation later transition into a likely recovery operation.
The recovery effort was suspended until Sunday morning, March 5, when searchers could safely resume their efforts.
At approximately 4:30 P.M., on March 5, the victim was located deceased on the shoreline, at the bottom of a nearby cliff. The decedent’s body was recovered and transported to a local funeral home.
OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriffs Office, Nestucca Fire and the United States Coast Guard.
Correction: This crash occurred in Multnomah County.
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On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 7:15 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 23, in Clackamas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a red Mercury Cougar, operated by Gorgonio Reyes Barrera (31) of Hermiston, was westbound on the interstate when it left the lane of travel at high rate of speed. The Mercury went through a guard rail and down a 150-foot embankment where it landed upside down in the Columbia River. First responders removed the operator from the vehicle and attempted life saving measures but were unsuccessful. Barrera was declared deceased at the scene.
The interstate was not impacted, but a viewpoint where the crash occurred was closed for approximately 5 hours while Troopers investigated the scene.
OSP was assisted by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner, and ODOT.
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OSP is asking for the public’s assistance with theft of a credit card investigation — Douglas & Lane County (Photo) – 03/05/23
An OSP Trooper was contacted by an individual who was traveling on Interstate-5 on February 10, 2023, with her three kids when, at approximately 11:00 AM, she stopped at the rest area near milepost 206. It was during that stop that she discovered her credit card was missing. The OSP Trooper was able to track down these images from video surveillance obtained from the stores in which the suspect used the stolen credit card.
The suspect’s vehicle looks to be similar to a 2000 GMC pickup with what appears to be aftermarket wheels. The suspect used the stolen card at the Pilot Fuel Station and Adult Store in Rice Hill as well as the Bi-Mart and Grocery Outlet in Cottage Grove. There was an additional attempt at an auto parts store in Springfield, but the card was declined.
Anyone with information about the identity of this suspect is asked to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at 1-800-442-2068 or *OSP from your mobile phone. Refer to Case #: SP23-046505
On Friday, March 3, 2023, at approximately 3:10 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 26, near milepost 105.
The preliminary investigation indicated a blue 2001 Ford F150, operated by Kurtis Lee Boise (40) of Warm Springs, was traveling westbound on Hwy 26 near Warm Springs when it left the roadway for unknown reasons and rolled. The driver of the vehicle, Kurtis Lee Boise, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, Anthony Williams (37) of Madras, sustained minor injuries and was transported by medics for treatment.
The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
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Oregon State Police Pledges to Advance Women in Policing (Photo) – 03/01/23
The national 30×30 Pledge Aims to Bring More Women into Policing to Improve Public Safety, Community Outcomes, and Trust in Law Enforcement
The Oregon State Police has signed on to the 30×30 Pledge – a series of low- and no-cost actions policing agencies can take to improve the representation and experiences of women in law enforcement. The activities help policing agencies assess the current state of a department with regard to gender equity, identify factors that may be driving any disparities and develop and implement strategies and solutions to eliminate barriers and advance women in policing. These actions address recruitment, assessment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture.
The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30×30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States. The 30×30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).
The ultimate goal of the 30×30 Initiative is to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030 and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30×30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.
“This pledge means that the Oregon State Police is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women Troopers in our agency, “said Superintendent Casey Codding. “We are honored to be among many in the nation to make this critical commitment, and we look forward to working with and learning from agencies across the country who share our priority.”
More than 250 agencies – from major metro departments including the New York City Police Department to mid-sized, rural, university, and state policing agencies – have signed the 30×30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.
Currently, women make up only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership in the U.S. This underrepresentation of women in policing has significant public safety implications. Research suggests that women officers:
- Use less force and less excessive force
- Are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits
- Are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate
- See better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases
“We are grateful to the Oregon State Police for being one of the first in the nation to commit to being a part of this growing movement,” said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30×30 Initiative, Chief of Staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. “We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow Oregon State Police’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing.”
For more information, visit www.30x30initiative.org.
Clackamas County Critical Incident-
On February 28th 2023, at about 8:20am, a crew from Portland General Electric was working near the intersection of Highway 224 and Wildcat Mountain Road, in the Eagle Creek area. They were reportedly approached by a male suspect who displayed a firearm and stole a PGE vehicle at gunpoint. The suspect fled the scene in the vehicle and later crashed on Highway 26, east of Sandy. After a search of the area, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was transported to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
The investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police.
Due to the on-going criminal investigation, we are unable to release further information at this time.
OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Deputy Sheriffs, Clackamas County SWAT and Sandy Police.
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, at approximately 3:40 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 26, near milepost 59, in Clackamas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Subaru Outback, operated by Althea Spahn (26) of Beaverton, was westbound on Hwy 26 with 4 passengers. The Subaru lost control, spun out, crossed into the eastbound lane, and was struck by an oncoming ODOT snowplow, operated by Jessie White (29) of Troutdale.
Two passengers of the Subaru, Lillian Alma Spahn (24) of Portland and Micah Paul Strauss (28) of Portland, were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The three surviving occupants of the Subaru and the operator of the ODOT snowplow were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.
The roadway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. Poor road conditions have been determined to be a significant contributor to this crash.
OSP was assisted by AMR, Hoodland Fire, ODOT, the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office.
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Update- Guilty Plea- OSP Fish & Wildlife Division seeks public assistance in poached Elk- Union County (Photo) – 02/23/23
On October 1, 2022, the opening day of the rifle deer season, deer hunters contacted Oregon State Troopers to advise they had located a deceased bull elk. The bull elk was located on private timber company lands off Kingsbury Lane north of Elgin, Oregon in the Wenaha Wildlife Management Unit. Fish and Wildlife Troopers responded to the scene and determined the bull elk had been shot from Kingsbury Lane with a rifle and had been left to waste. The elk had been shot a couple of days prior and no part of the elk had been removed or any attempt to salvage the meat had been taken.
With the public’s assistance, Troopers developed a suspect in the case. Cody Murrill, (42) of Elgin, Oregon, was interviewed, cited, and released to appear in court for criminal charges of Unlawful Take of a Branch Antlered Bull Elk and Waste of Wildlife.
On January 20, 2023, Cody Murrill appeared in the Union County Circuit Court and plead guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail; 12 months’ probation; forfeiture of the rifle used in the unlawful taking, and $440 in fines.
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The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help in locating the individual or individuals responsible for the poaching of a branch antlered bull elk in the Wenaha wildlife management unit, north of Elgin, Oregon. It is believed the bull elk was shot with a rifle on the evening of Friday, September 30, 2022, one day prior to the opening of the controlled rifle buck deer season. The bull was shot on private timber lands off Kingsbury Lane near Darr Road. No part of the elk was removed, and the bull was left to waste.
OSP Fish & Wildlife Division is urging anyone with information about this case to call the Oregon State Police Tip-line at 1-800-452-7888, *OSP (*677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Please reference case number SP22-265831
***Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators***
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program offers preference points or cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation, to a suspect, for the unlawful killing of wildlife, and or waste of big game. Cash rewards can also be awarded for turning in people who destroy habitat, illegally obtain licenses/tags, and for unlawful lending/borrowing of big game tags. Learn more: https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx
PREFERENCE POINT REWARDS:
* 5 Points-Mountain Sheep
* 5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
* 5 Points-Moose
* 5 Points-Wolf
* 4 Points-Elk
* 4 Points-Deer
* 4 Points-Antelope
* 4 Points-Bear
* 4 Points-Cougar
Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
* $1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose
* $500 Elk, Deer, and Antelope
* $300 Bear, Cougar, and Wolf
* $300 Habitat Destruction
* $200 – Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
* $200 – Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
* $100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl
* $100 Game Birds or Furbearers
* $100 Game Fish and Shellfish
Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
Birds
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
All other protected avian species: see category below for listed species
Mammals
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
Species listed as “threatened” or “endangered” under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)
$1,000 (e.g. wolf, wolverine, kit fox, red tree vole, Canada lynx, sea otter, Columbian white-tailed deer, California brown pelican, western snowy plover, California least tern, northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, short-tailed albatross, streaked horned lark, yellow-billed cuckoo, leatherback sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, Oregon spotted frog, green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle)
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at approximately 9:38 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 97, at the intersection with Hwy 197, in Wasco County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Lincoln MKZ (passenger car), operated by Richard Evar Fridell (75) of Shaniko, was traveling southbound on Hwy 97 when a northbound GMC Savana (box truck), operated by Vitaliy Solomko (49) of Federal Way (WA), attempted to make a left turn in front of the southbound Lincoln. Both vehicle operators attempted to avoid a collision, however the vehicles collided nearly head-on.
A passenger in the Lincoln, Mary Jane Wright (76) of Shaniko, was declared deceased at the scene. The vehicle operators suffered minor injuries, which resulted in neither being transported by ambulance for treatment.
The highway was closed for approximately a half an hour while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
OSP was assisted by Jefferson County Fire and ODOT.
Update: Correction- Gonzalo Martinez III was an active duty Soldier in the U.S. Army.
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On Sunday, February 19, 2023, at approximately 6:23 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a crash on Hwy 30, near milepost 60, in Columbia County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a military convoy traveling westbound on Hwy 30 had stopped on the westbound shoulder to address an unknown mechanical issue. A Humvee style vehicle associated with the convoy traveling eastbound had stopped in the eastbound passing lane. Two National Guardsmen exited the stopped Humvee to aid the convoy in addressing the mechanical issue. One of the Guardsmen, Gonzalo Martinez III (29) of Cleveland (TX) was struck by an eastbound 1997 Chevrolet pickup, operated by Richard L. Erickson (72) of Clatskanie, who was also traveling in the left lane. The Chevrolet then crashed into the parked Humvee. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup and the military member, were both transported to St. John’s Hospital in Longview (WA). The driver of the Chevrolet pickup remains in stable condition and the military member, Martinez III, was pronounced deceased.
The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs’ Office, Clatskanie Fire, and ODOT.
On Friday, February 17, 2023 at approximately 3:05 P.M., the Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 47, near milepost 74, north of NW Nowakowki Rd., near Vernonia.
The preliminary investigation indicated a green 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon, operated by Destanie King (26) of Vernonia, was traveling northbound on HWY 47 when for unknown reasons the Legacy crossed into the oncoming lane, with the passenger side now facing north, while in the southbound lane, colliding with the front of a southbound red 2014 Subaru Outback Wagon. King, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the 2014 Subaru Outback, Claire Colburn-Collier (65) of San Pablo (CA) and her passenger, Michael Collier (66) of San Pablo (CA), were transported by air to Legacy Emanuel with life threatening injuries. Michael Collier was pronounced deceased from his injuries on February 18th.
The highway was closed for approximately 3 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.
The Oregon State Police were assisted by the Washington Co. Sheriff’s Office, Banks Fire, and ODOT.
On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at approximately 9:25 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 217, in Umatilla County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Honda Pilot, operated by Zoe Ann Marshall (53) of Bonney Lake (WA), was eastbound on I-84 when the vehicle lost control and rolled multiple times. The operator was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was declared deceased at the scene.
The highway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash has not be determined.
OSP was assisted by the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department and ODOT.
On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at approximately 6:45 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 18, near milepost 48.5, in Yamhill County.
The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound red Datsun (Toyota) pickup, operated by Ruben Granados Zanchez (67) of McMinnville, lost control on the icy road and slid into the westbound lanes where it was t-boned by a gray Subaru WRX, operated by Jered Jin Hartman (36) of Tigard. The operator of the Datsun was pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Subaru was transported to a local hospital for medical care.
The highway was shut down for approximately 3 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, McMinnville PD, McMinnville Fire, and ODOT.
On Monday, February 13, 2023, at approximately 7:39 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 7, near mile post 44.5, in Baker County.
The preliminary investigation indicated a dark colored Ford F250, operated by Jason W. Dexter (50) of Baker City, left the roadway by way of the right shoulder for an undetermined reason. The F250 struck the rock wall and rolled onto the driver’s side. The operator was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected outside the driver’s side window when the F250 rolled onto its side. The operator was pinned under the F250, delaying the response of emergency responders. The operator was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation.
OSP was assisted by the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT.
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Update: Traffic Stop Leads to Arrest and Drug Seizure- Jefferson County (Photo) – 02/13/23
Update: Luz Maria Ramirez-Gutierrez (42) is from Yakima, Washington and Reyna Paola Marin-Ramirez (20) is from Kennewick, Washington.
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On February 12, 2023, at approximately 7:20 P.M., an Oregon State Police Trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding on Highway 97 near E street in Madras.
During the stop, the Trooper noticed signs of criminal activity, and a consent to search the vehicle was conducted. During the search of the vehicle, the Trooper located over 7 pounds of Methamphetamine.
The occupants of the vehicle, identified as Luz Maria Ramirez-Gutierrez (42) and Reyna Paola Marin-Ramirez (20) Washington, were lodged at the Jefferson County Jail for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Manufacture of a Controlled Substance and Attempted Distribution of Commercial Quantities of Methamphetamine.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative), Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration – Bend Task Force, and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, at approximately 10:15 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 101 near milepost 213.
Preliminary investigation revealed a red Ford Mustang, traveling northbound on Highway 101, crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a southbound red Chevrolet Silverado towing a trailered boat.
The driver of the mustang, identified as Dustin Ray Fish (36) of Coquille, Oregon, was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Silverado was transported to an area hospital with injuries.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Winchester Bay Fire, Reedsport Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Reedsport Fire, Lower Umpqua Ambulance Service, and Southern Oregon Chaplains.
Drug Seizure
Contact Leads to an Arrest and Drug Seizure- Marion County (Photo) – 02/09/23
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at approximately 10:08 A.M., an Oregon State Police Trooper located a 2013 Hyundai SUV at the Santiam Rest Area off Interstate-5, near milepost 240. The Trooper, part of an OSP K-9 Team, made observations of the vehicle that led him to believe the driver was involved in criminal activity. After a conversation with the driver furthered the Trooper’s reasonable suspicion to believe criminal activity was occurring, a vehicle search was conducted. The Trooper located approximately 1.4 kilograms of fentanyl powder concealed in the vehicle.
The driver, identified as Arlin Barahon-Erazo (18) from Oakland, California, was taken into custody and lodged in the Marion County Jail.
OSP Troopers were assisted during the investigation by Detectives from the OSP-Criminal Investigations Division-Drug Enforcement Section (Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative) and the Drug Enforcement Administration – Salem.
The Oregon State Police-Domestic Highway Enforcement Initiative is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the OSP-DHE Initiative.
On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at approximately 9:00 A.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 58, milepost 59.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver Honda Civic, driven by Cynthia Ann Waters (52) from Eugene, was eastbound when she lost control and struck a dump truck that was pulling a trailer. The dump truck driver, identified as Jesse Alan Rodolf (44) of Lakeview, was uninjured. Cynthia Waters was pronounced deceased at the scene. Icy road conditions are believed to be contributing factors in this crash.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Oakridge Fire Department, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at approximately 10:40 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 240 near milepost 4.
Preliminary investigation revealed a Subaru Legacy, operated by James Lee Foster (74) of Yamhill, Oregon, was traveling westbound on Highway 240 when for unknown reasons he lost control and struck a tree. Foster was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, the Yamhill Police Department, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
On Wednesday, February 08, 2023, at approximately 6:00 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 228 near milepost 19.
Preliminary investigation revealed a silver GMC Canyon operated by Michael L. Stalford (40) of Foster, Oregon, was westbound on Highway 228 when he lost control of his vehicle crossing the eastbound lane and struck a large tree. It is believed that the icy road conditions and speed were contributing factors in this crash. Stalford was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Sweet Home Fire Department and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
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Sherman County Sheriff’s Office Identifies Human Remains from 1989 with Othram DNA Lab and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office (Photo) – 02/06/23
On March 26, 1989, the remains of a skeletonized human body were discovered by a rafting group on the Sherman County side of the John Day River. On March 27, 1989, then-Sheriff Gerald Lohrey and additional Sherman County Sheriff’s Office deputies launched a jet boat at Cottonwood Bridge, approximately 13 miles east of Wasco, and recovered the incomplete skeletal remains. In addition to many long bones that had been half-buried in silt on the riverbank, a skull was collected with dental work.
The discovery of the body made local headlines, but nothing was immediately known about the deceased. The remains were transported to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office (SMEO) for examination.
An examination of the body determined that the decedent was most likely a Caucasian male, between 40 and 50 years of age at the time of death, and around 5’6” to 5’9” in living stature. Evidence of compressed lumbar vertebrae by the forensic anthropologist indicated possible arthritic changes in the bone. It was noted that several teeth in the mandible exhibited restorations. Additional searches of the area were performed on March 28 and April 8, 1989; both searches yielded additional small bones and several teeth.
Leads on the possible identification of this individual were received by the Sheriff’s Office in the following days and weeks; numerous reporting parties indicated they believed the remains to be that of David West, Jr., a man who had disappeared from Sherman County trying to cross the John Day River during a large flooding event in 1964. Mr. West, Jr. had lived on a ranch near Bridge Creek and was known to cross the John Day often. He normally went back and forth across the river to feed cattle. He and a friend had even built a makeshift cable car across the river to assist in quickly navigating the waters back and forth over the John Day. The day the John Day River flooded in 1964, Mr. West was thought to be feeding cattle near Ashwood, Oregon. A friend went to check on him and saw that the cable car had been washed away, the large tree that had held the cable was uprooted, and Mr. West’s dog was injured and agitated on the bank of the river. David West Jr. was never seen or heard from again.
In 1989, Mr. West’s dentist was consulted, but no conclusive identification was ever made.
The remains were retained by the SMEO. In 2010, the SMEO submitted a bone sample to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. The sample was processed and yielded a forensic DNA profile for comparison and upload into CODIS. Unfortunately, no genetic associations to missing persons or family reference standards in the CODIS database were established.
In April 2022, the SMEO recognized the effectiveness of investigative genetic genealogy on cold unidentified remains cases and submitted an additional bone sample to Othram, a private DNA lab specializing in advanced forensic DNA testing. Othram uses an in-house whole genome sequencing technique that can provide genetic information and possible familial associations even with a low-yield sample. The analysis revealed the name of two biological relatives of David West Jr. as being genetically associated with the remains.
Both the Gilliam County Sheriff Gary Bettencourt and the Sherman County Sheriff Brad Lohrey (the son of Sheriff Gerald Lohrey) worked to contact family members; Sheriff Bettencourt collected oral swab standards from one relative, and these were submitted and tested by Othram.
The genetic association was confirmed through DNA comparison by Othram in September 2022, and the family was notified of the positive identification.
“We are very excited that such an old case was able to be solved. It is amazing what our forensic teams can accomplish with modern technology. This was a case that was a mystery for generations here at the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office. I’m happy that the family of the deceased finally has closure.” -Sheriff Brad Lohrey, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office
Hope is why we are here.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, at approximately 7:24 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 99 near milepost 43.
Preliminary investigation revealed a red Toyota Yaris was traveling southbound near Perkins Rd NE, when it crossed the center line, left the roadway into a ditch, and crashed into a tree. The driver, identified as Jose Trinidad Sanchez Encizo (42) of Lebanon, was declared deceased at the scene.
The Oregon State Police was assisted by Marion County Fire and Medics, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office.
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