February 14, 2024 3:50 a.m.
Covering coastal Douglas County:
The body of a Eugene man who went missing after scuba diving in the Umpqua River has been located.
Lieutenant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department said on Monday at approximately 8:45 a.m. dispatchers received a report of a deceased body on the shore near Sparrow Park Road in the Gardiner area. O’Dell said deputies along with troopers from the Oregon State Police responded to the area and confirmed the decedent to be 47-year-old Jerry Scott Harris.
Harris had gone scuba diving in the river near the mouth of the Pacific Ocean in Winchester Bay at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sunday January 28th. O’Dell said Harris, who had previous diving experience, had not returned prompting a call to emergency personnel. A large-scale search took place to locate any signs of Harris but revealed no clues.
The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to investigate the death. Foul play is not suspected.
DCSO was assisted by the United States Coast Guard, Oregon State SAR Coordinator, CAHOOTS of Eugene, Lane County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Marine Patrol and Douglas County Search and Rescue.
