GRANTS PASS, Ore. (Jul. 14, 2026) — A Josephine County grand jury has indicted a Grants Pass-area man on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the disappearance of a 67-year-old man who has been missing since July 7, even as authorities continue searching for the victim.
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded at 9:43 a.m. on July 7 to a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane after receiving a report of a missing person under suspicious circumstances. During the initial investigation, deputies determined that Randall “Randy” Hecker, 67, was missing from his home and was believed to be in danger.
Detectives from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and the Grants Pass Police Department launched a joint investigation and identified Israel Wytcherley, who lives near Hecker’s residence, as the primary suspect.
Investigators later located Wytcherley at another location in Grants Pass and arrested him. He was initially booked into the Josephine County Jail on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, first-degree kidnapping and unlawful use of a weapon.
Following additional investigation, prosecutors presented the case to a Josephine County grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Wytcherley with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the evidence that led to the upgraded charges.
The investigation remains active, and Hecker has not been found.
Authorities described Hecker as a 67-year-old white man who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He was last seen wearing blue-gray shorts, a light blue T-shirt and carrying a backpack-style sprayer. Investigators said the sprayer has not been recovered and is considered evidence of interest in the case.
Investigators also determined that Wytcherley’s gray 2016 Chevrolet Silverado was in the Galice area on the morning of July 7. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who saw the vehicle in the Merlin or Galice areas that morning, or who has information about Hecker’s whereabouts, to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said additional details are being withheld because the investigation is ongoing. No further information was immediately released.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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