Oregon man, 72, missing after leaving home to photograph king tides

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man from North Bend, Ore. is missing after he left his home to photograph the king tides on Dec. 15, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.

North Bend Police Department Chief Cal Mitts told KOIN 6 News that 72-year-old Joseph Neill is thought to have left his home Sunday morning and was reported missing at 8 p.m. the same day. Early Monday morning, authorities found Neill’s car abandoned on the Transpacific Parkway near Jordan Point, sparking a search and rescue mission.

Some of Neill’s personal property was also found in the area and a Coos County Sheriff’s Office K9 search and team was brought into the area to track the man’s possible whereabouts. The U.S. Coast Guard and a North Bend Fire Department boat were also called to the scene to search for Neill, but the search was ultimately called off.

“The K9 checked the area and determined that Mr. Neill is no longer in that area,” the Coos County Sheriff’s Office said. “... As there was evidence to suggest that Mr. Neill was elsewhere, the search was suspended pending further information or clues.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about Neill’s disappearance is asked to contact the North Bend Police Department.