Search Team Recovers Human Remains Believed to Be Missing Josephine County Man

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. (Jul. 17, 2026) — Human remains believed to be those of missing Josephine County resident Randall “Randy” Hecker were recovered Thursday afternoon in steep terrain near Reuben Mountain following a discovery by a volunteer with the Josephine County Search and Rescue team, authorities said.

According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, the discovery was made around 12:15 p.m. Thursday when a Search and Rescue volunteer was checking an area beyond the Grave Creek Bridge along Reuben Mountain. After noticing what appeared to be human remains near the roadside, the volunteer drove toward Merlin to report the finding because there was no cell phone service in the area.

While traveling back, the volunteer encountered Oregon State Police troopers and a Josephine County sheriff’s deputy at the Galice Resort and directed them to the location.

Troopers and the deputy hiked through steep, rugged terrain and located a deceased person. Detectives from the Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office responded to the scene, along with a Josephine County Search and Rescue rope team.

The rope rescue team successfully recovered the body from the difficult terrain.

Investigators believe the deceased is Hecker, but positive identification will be made through an autopsy by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Authorities said Hecker’s next of kin have been notified.

The sheriff’s office expressed condolences to Hecker’s family and friends and thanked the agencies and community members who assisted in the search. Officials also recognized the Search and Rescue volunteer who located the remains and the rope rescue team that carried out the recovery under hazardous conditions.

The Josephine County Search and Rescue program consists of one paid deputy and numerous community volunteers who donate their time and expertise to assist with search and rescue missions throughout the county.