The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to report that Leon Lyle Haight, the 84-year-old man reported missing from Paulina Lake Campground, has been safely located.
Early this morning, a civilian volunteer who had been searching overnight found Mr. Haight in a remote area just south of Devil’s Horn, east of where his vehicle had been discovered Sunday. Medics evaluated Mr. Haight at the scene, and he declined transport. He is currently being reunited with family by Deputy Hicks.
Mr. Haight was last seen Saturday morning and was believed to have wandered away from his campsite. His vehicle was located overnight by a local resident off FS Road 2121-200, high-centered with food, firewood, and personal items inside. Deputies and Search and Rescue teams tracked his footprints into the forest and continued search efforts through the night and into Monday morning.
We thank all the deputies, SAR personnel, medics, and especially the community members who volunteered their time and efforts to help locate Mr. Haight.
For non-emergency inquiries, contact dispatch at (541) 693-6911.
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The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing elderly man who was last seen at Paulina Lake Campground earlier Sunday.
Leon Lyle Haight, age 84, of Salem, Oregon, was last seen at the family’s campsite around 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th. He is believed to have wandered off while relatives were away from the campsite. When they returned, they discovered Mr. Haight and his vehicle were gone. The family also noted that a camp axe was missing, and Mr. Haight had previously mentioned they were nearly out of firewood.
Mr. Haight is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs approximately 169 pounds, and has a full gray beard, although the most recent photo provided by the family shows him clean-shaven. He has no known medical or mental health conditions, but does have a history of wandering.
He is believed to be driving a silver 2008 Honda Civic 4-door sedan with Oregon license plate 988 DRD. Law enforcement and family have checked the area’s roads and access points, but have not located his vehicle. The Salem Police Department also visited his residence in Salem, but he was not found there either.
Mr. Haight’s family remains at the Paulina Lake Campground in case he returns. Anyone who may have seen Mr. Haight or his vehicle is asked to contact the Deschutes County non-emergency dispatch at (541) 693-6911.
