Accident – Death – Obituary News : The Coos County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has recently made a significant breakthrough in a case involving the discovery of a body on a gravel bar of the Chetco River, near At Rivers Edge RV, east of Brookings. The body, initially unidentified, has now been confirmed to be that of 75-year-old Michael Rupert.
**Discovery of the Body**
The elderly man’s body was found by an off-duty Cal Ore employee just after 4:00 p.m. on February 24th. The location of the discovery, on a gravel bar of the Chetco River, is a picturesque spot near At Rivers Edge RV, adding a sense of mystery to the tragic incident.
**Identification Process**
Following the discovery, the Oregon State Police conducted fingerprinting, and an autopsy was carried out at the Oregon State Crime Lab in Medford. Thankfully, the medical examiner has reported that there are no signs of foul play in Rupert’s death.
**Investigation and Next Steps**
Despite the positive identification of the deceased, questions still linger surrounding the circumstances that led to Rupert’s presence in the river. The CCSO press release mentioned that it appeared Rupert had been in the river when it was high, and was left on the gravel bar as the water receded. The man did not have any identification on him, leaving authorities to piece together the events leading to his tragic end.
The District Attorney has been informed, and the local authorities are diligently working to uncover more details about Rupert’s final moments. Efforts to contact next of kin have been successful, and Sheriff Ward and his team are committed to continuing the investigation.
**Appeal for Information**
If anyone has any information that could assist in shedding light on this incident, please do not hesitate to reach out to the appropriate authorities. The Curry County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at (541) 247-3243.
In conclusion, the discovery of Michael Rupert’s body on the gravel bar of the Chetco River has raised questions and sparked an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. As the authorities continue their efforts to uncover the truth, the community is urged to come forward with any information that could aid in the investigation..