MULTNOMAH FALLS, Ore. – The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the hiker found dead at the base of Wiesendanger Falls last week as 49-year-old Benjamin J. Holcomb of Lyle, Washington.
According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the discovery was made on Wednesday morning, September 10, 2025, after emergency dispatchers received a report of a missing hiker. Shortly afterward, a separate call reported an unresponsive person at the base of the waterfall along the Larch Mountain Trail near Multnomah Falls.
Rescue crews with MCSO’s Green Hornets unit responded to the scene, confirmed the man had died, and coordinated recovery operations. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office is working with investigators to confirm the cause of death.
The recovery involved assistance from the MCSO Search and Rescue Program (MCSOSAR), a nonprofit volunteer-based group comprised largely of youth members. Officials say the team specializes in searches for lost or injured hikers and frequently supports law enforcement during emergencies.
Holcomb’s family has requested privacy and is not speaking with the media.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to its volunteers in a public statement, emphasizing that while the outcome was tragic, the SAR team’s efforts were crucial in providing closure in the case.
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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