Eugene, OR – A month-long search for a missing Oakridge mushroom picker ended tragically Tuesday after search teams located the man deceased in rugged terrain east of the city.
According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, search and rescue crews found 76-year-old Jean Fritz Pierre Louis of Oakridge shortly after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, in the Salmon Creek area. Louis, who went missing last month, was discovered at the bottom of a steep drainage that required high-angle rope teams to access and recover him.
The sheriff’s office said volunteers and deputies spent more than 1,000 hours searching for Louis, beginning immediately after he was reported missing on October 16. His vehicle was found early in the investigation, but the surrounding terrain proved extremely challenging for crews on foot.
Searchers navigated dense forest and steep drainages using drones, K9 teams, horseback units, and specialized high-angle rope crews. Teams rappelled into multiple search zones as they attempted to reach areas too dangerous or remote for standard operations. The search effort included assistance from Linn County Search and Rescue and Eugene Mountain Rescue, which operates under Lane County’s SAR program.
Officials said the extensive search area, paired with limited access points, made the effort especially demanding.
“While not the outcome hoped for,” the sheriff’s office wrote, “we are thankful to our many dedicated volunteers and agency partners who continue to search for those missing in our county.”
Authorities did not report any signs of foul play. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has not yet shared information on when the recovery operation concluded or when the family was notified.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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