Remains of Wimer Man Missing Since August Found Near Rogue River

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office reports that the remains of a Wimer man missing since Aug. 25 have been found by two Rogue River residents seeking to salvage a battery from the man's wrecked truck next to Fielder Creek near its confluence with Evans Creek.

Hugh Ellis, 83, left the home of a family member that day heading toward his home on Pleasant Creek Road, but he never reached his destination. 

Two Rogue River residents spotted Ellis' dark green 1994 Mazda B-40 pickup in the forested area now free of green foliage. The pair had spotted the wreckage earlier this week and returned Wednesday to salvage the truck's battery when they discovered Ellis' remains in the creek bed next to the truck. They notified the sheriff.

Investigators believe Ellis'  truck left the road through a wire fence 200 feet south of where the truck eventually stopped. The truck crossed a grassy area and a wooded area next to the creek, went airborne over the creek and struck the opposite bank.

At the time of the accident, heavy foliage prevented discovery of the truck despite an extensive search. The sheriff's department last week asked hunters to be on the lookout for Ellis' truck in their trips through the area's woods.

Because of steep terrain in the area, the county's search and rescue team was summoned to remove the remains.