Search for Missing Bow Hunter in Oregon Comes to Tragic End
37-year-old Jon Hill from Hillsboro, was bow hunting Saturday but failed to return Saturday night.
(VERNONIA, Ore.) — A family friend helping in the search for a missing bow hunter from Hillsboro found the man dead just after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.
Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies received a 9-1-1 call from the family friend advising he had found the missing man, and that he believed he was deceased.
Deputies made their way to the location near Clear Creek Road. The caller met deputies at the intersection of Timber and Clear Creek Roads, leading them to the body of 37-year-old Jon Hill.
Hill was bow hunting Saturday but failed to return Saturday night. Family heard from him by cell phone that evening and, again, at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning. The last they heard from him was at 9:30 a.m., and family members said he sounded disoriented.
Columbia County Undersheriff Andy Moyer said officials delayed public notification until positive identification could be made and family members could be notified. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Hill," Moyer said. "We are glad he was found, although we are saddened by the fact that he was not found alive."
Columbia County searchers spent more than 50 hours in the rugged area off of US Highway 26 and Timber Road searching for Hill.
Also assisting in the search were the following organizations:
Metro West Ambulance (providing a standby medical presence at the command post)
Mountain Wave Search and Rescue (Providing Communications support and additional searchers)
Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue
Clatsop County Sheriff's Office
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
Yamhill County Sheriff's Office
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Tillamook County Sheriff's Office
Oregon State Police
Oregon Air National Guard
Moyer expressed gratitude to all those who helped with the effort, especially those friends and family members who came to do whatever they could do to help. Many also donated food and refreshments to keep the searchers in the field.
