Klamath County, Ore. – Police have identified a man found dead Monday in northern Klamath County, following an extensive search.
Search and rescue crews began looking for 68-year-old William Dudley Boettcher late Saturday afternoon when he failed to return to camp.
“He was reported missing that afternoon, Klamath County Search and Rescue responded,” said Sergeant Bob Fenner of the Oregon State Police.
Boettcher and his dog had been mushroom hunting in a remote area near Davis Lake near the Klamath/Deschutes county line.
“There’s a lot of blow-down, and doghair thick lodgepole patches,” said Sergeant Darren Frank of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office.
Boettcher’s body and his dog were discovered by Boettcher’s own son and another family member Monday afternoon.
“The dog never left his owner’s side,” added Sergeant Frank. “The dog was found Monday when we actually found the subject.”
Frank adds that while Boettcher’s address is given as Prairie City, Oregon. “He traveled around a lot, mostly out of his RV. The RV was parked in Chemult at one of the mushroom camps.”
Oregon State Police were called in to assist with the death investigation.
“We’re awaiting results of the autopsy from the medical examiners office,” said Sergeant Fenner. “But at this point, it just seems exposure may have been the cause of death.”
Search and rescue crews from 6 counties were called out to help with the search, they were assisted by fish and wildlife officers, and State Police.
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