On February 7, 2017, two hikers located skeletal remains of a missing person reported on June 26, 2012 to the Medford Police Department. The Oregon State Police recovered the remains of a single adult male which have been positively identified through dental records, personal property and identification as Chase COOK who was 22 years old at the time he was reported missing. At the time Cook was reported missing, the vehicle he was believed to be driving was seen in the area of Williams Highway but it had been moved prior to law enforcement’s arrival and was no longer at the location. An extensive search of the area where the vehicle had initially been seen was conducted by Search and Rescue operations and no evidence was located. Cook’s remains were discovered less than a mile from where the vehicle he was reportedly driving at the time of his disappearance. Contrary to social media outlets, only one body was recovered. Additionally, it had been reported the skeletal remains appeared to have been bound. This was determined not to be true. Evidence located at the scene supports this was a suicide by means of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Oregon State Police was assisted by the Medford Police Department, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Josephine County Search and Rescue, Jackson County Search and Rescue, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
