Death Investigation I-84, Dec. 11

On December 8th, 2015 at approximately 8:54am Troopers from the Oregon State Police along with officers of the Pendleton Police Department responded to the report of a deceased adult male along the shoulder of Interstate 84 near milepost 209 westbound. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located Neil SCHULTE, 73 of Nordland, Washington who was pronounced deceased. SCHULTE was discovered near the highway right of way fence adjacent to the onramp to I84 at milepost 209 westbound. Investigation revealed SCHULTE had been traveling from Austin, Texas to Nordland, Washington and was reported missing by his girlfriend on December 4th, 2015. Travis County Sheriff’s Office took a missing person report on SCHULTE on December 4th. SCHULTE’s vehicle had been towed by the Oregon State Police as an abandoned vehicle near the 209 interchange on December 3rd, prior to SCHULTE being entered as a missing person. The Oregon State Police Pendleton Crime Lab along with the Umatilla County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. Preliminary investigation indicates that SCHULTE died of natural causes and no criminal activity is suspected.