Into the Wilderness: The Mysterious Disappearance of Michael Vos in Oregon’s Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

A Quiet Life in Coos County

Michael Dean Vos, a 64-year-old resident of North Bend, Oregon, was known for his self-sufficiency and deep connection to the wilderness. Standing at 5'11" and weighing approximately 150 pounds, he was last seen on October 10, 2019, wearing a camouflage-print long-sleeved button-down shirt and dark-colored cotton slacks. Vos had a history of living in various states, including Alaska, South Dakota, and California, but he had strong ties to Coos County, where he was familiar with the South Powers and Elk River areas. His family noted that he was skilled in primitive survival techniques and had expressed a desire to live off the land.

The Day He Vanished

Vos was reported missing by his family on October 16, 2019, six days after he was last seen. Concerns grew as he had not been heard from, prompting the Coos County Sheriff's Office to initiate a search. Authorities discovered his vehicle on October 29, 2019, approximately 9.5 miles south of Powers, Oregon, in the remote Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. This discovery raised more questions than answers, as there were no immediate signs of Vos in the vicinity.

Clues in the Forest

Further investigation led search teams to find some of Vos's clothing northeast of where his car was located. This suggested that he had removed his clothes after parking his vehicle and began walking into the forest. Given his known mental health issues, including possible dementia and beliefs that the devil and angels were speaking to him, authorities speculated that his mental state might have influenced his actions. The Coos County Sheriff's Office coordinated with CORSAR, a consortium of Search and Rescue volunteers and paid staff from Southern Oregon and Northern California counties, to conduct an extensive search of the area.

The Search Effort

The search for Vos was intensive, involving multiple agencies and volunteers who combed the vast and rugged terrain of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Despite these efforts, no further traces of Vos were found. Authorities believed that Vos's mental state, combined with his survival skills and desire to live off the land, might have contributed to his disappearance. As of November 2, 2019, active search operations were curtailed, and wider-ranging patrols were implemented in hopes of finding evidence of his travels. ...Read More

Share

Comments (0)

Leave A Comment