UPDATED: 40-Year-Old Trail Man Missing Since May 17

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a 40-year-old man who disappeared amid mysterious circumstances in the Trail area on May 17.

Christopher Wayne Bateman’s white Toyota pickup was found May 24 by a U.S. Forest Service employee on Forest Service land in Douglas County, approximately 35 miles north of Tiller. The vehicle was found about 100 feet off the road down a dirt embankment.

A two-day search of the area by Douglas County Search & Rescue failed to turn up any sign of Bateman. There was no indication that Bateman was in the truck when it went over the embankment, nor was there any indication of foul play.

To further puzzle investigators, Bateman’s chocolate Lab was found wandering on Jackson Creek Road in Douglas County, approximately 25 miles from where the truck was recovered.

Bateman’s residence has been searched and investigators are talking with friends and family in an attempt to find him.

Anyone with information on Bateman or information that would assist in locating him are asked to call the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 541-774-8333 or 541-774-6800.

Bateman is described as a white male, 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.