Searchers Locate Likely Remains of Missing Oregon Hunter

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (Nov 16, 202() — Authorities say they have recovered what they believe are the remains of missing hunter Devon Dobek after a difficult, multi-day rescue and recovery operation in the Mount Hood National Forest.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, community members searching for Dobek spotted a body shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, near the Fish Creek Trailhead. The location — at the base of a cliff in rugged terrain — prompted them to immediately notify law enforcement.

Search and Rescue coordinators and volunteers reached the area around 4:30 p.m., deploying a specially trained rope team to attempt recovery. The route required a river crossing and navigating several hundred feet of nearly vertical cliff face. Fading daylight forced crews to suspend the operation until Sunday morning.

On Nov. 16, teams resumed efforts, rappelling from the top of the ridge and approaching from two different routes: one from the Fish Creek Campground and another from NF-45 Road. Crews encountered multiple downed trees blocking the evacuation path, prompting a deputy, three U.S. Forest Service officers, and several volunteers to spend ten hours clearing a washed-out section of roadway to allow vehicle access.

At about 1 p.m., rope teams and a deputy reached “who they believe is missing hunter Devon Dobek.” Officials said formal identification will be completed by the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Recovery personnel carried the remains across steep, rough terrain, transferring them to a wheeled litter around 3:35 p.m. for the final stretch of the evacuation — a process that took several hours before reaching the roadway.

The Sheriff’s Office extended its gratitude to partner agencies, stating: “We would like to thank our Clackamas County Search and Rescue volunteers, Portland Mountain Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Mountain Wave Emergency Communications, and the U.S. Forest Service for their assistance in today’s mission.”

“Our thoughts continue to be with Devon’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the agency added.