Update on human remains found along Umpqua River

Douglas County, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said on October 1^st, a fisherman’s boat broke down on the Umpqua River near the former International Paper mill in Gardiner.

The fisherman was able to get his boat to shore. While gathering wood for a fire, he found human bones along the riverbank.

According to a press release issued on October 12^th, the partial remains were determined to belong to a woman who was between the ages of 30 and 45. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, the woman’s height, weight and ethnicity were not able to be determined.

Deputies said the woman has been dead for one to three years.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office will continue the investigation and try to determine the identity using DNA and dental records. Deputies said the process will take a significant amount of time.

If anyone has information about this case, call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471 and ask to speak with Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Craig Kinney.