Deceased rafter’s body recovered from Rogue River

Taylar Ansures October 11, 2023

Last Updated: October 11, 2023

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. – The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office says the body of a missing Rogue River rafter was found Monday afternoon.

According to police, the body of David Bartecchi was discovered around 3:30 p.m. Monday between Upper and Lower Washboard on the Rogue River.

Bartecchi was first reported missing on September 28 after the Sheriff’s Office received reports of a drowning at Wild Cat Rapids in the Wild and Scenic section of the Rogue River.

At the time, rescue crews were unable to recover Bartecchi from the rapids. Search efforts went on for multiple days before the family had been notified.

Bartecchi was recovered about two miles downriver of Black Bear Lodge, where lodge staff and a local rafting company, Orange Torpedo, helped in the recovery.

Taylar Ansures October 11, 2023

Taylar Ansures

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Taylar Ansures is a producer and reporter for NBC5 News. Taylar is from Redding, California and went to California State University, Chico. After graduating, she joined KRCR News Channel 7 in Redding as a morning producer. She moved to Southern Oregon in 2022 to be closer to family and became KTVL News 10’s digital producer. Taylar is currently finishing her Master's Degree in Professional Creative Writing through the University of Denver. In her free time, Taylar frequents independent bookstores and explores hiking trails across Southern Oregon and Northern California.