On 09/09/20, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced our search and
rescue crews found human remains along with animal remains in a vehicle near the
26000 block of North Fork Road in the Santiam Canyon. The following day search
and rescue personnel with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office returned to the
area, escorting investigators. While conducting the recover, the remains of
another individual were located in the vehicle.
On 09/10/20, the Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office positively
identified the two deceased people as 13-year-old, Wyatt Tofte of Lyons, Oregon
and 71-year-old Peggy Mosso also of Lyons, Oregon.
Our search and rescue teams continue their efforts to
locate people who have been missing. Tragically, searchers have located two
additional victims of the fire. Due to treacherous conditions, recovery efforts
will be underway once a safe plan can be put into place. Once the remains are
identified, names will be released pending notification of next of kin. The
remains of two additional deceased individuals were found in the afternoon hours
on 9/10/20.
As of this afternoon, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has received a total
of 27 missing persons reports since the beginning of the wildfires in the
Santiam Canyon area.
Sheriff Joe Kast said, “At a time of great loss, the women and men of the
Marion County Sheriff’s Office want to express their deepest condolences to
those in our community who have lost loved ones and homes during these last few
days”.
As of 6:00 P.M. today September 11, 2020, 13 of those reported as missing
have been found and are safe. At this time, 10 people are still unaccounted for
and 4 people have died during the Beachie Creek Fire in Marion County.