Murder Arrest -01/13/25

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, at approximately 3:03 PM, Murphy Calvin Henry, II, DOB 05-16-1970, Toledo, OR resident was arrested without incident, and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for the crimes of Murder in the Second Degree, Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree, and Tampering with Evidence related to the disappearance of Ryan Staggs, DOB 2-22-1991.

Staggs was last seen in late January 2022 at his residence located at 175 NW 55th Street, Newport, Oregon and was reported as a missing person in February 2022. Investigators received numerous pieces of information, but nothing led to the location of Staggs.  The Lincoln County DA Cold Case Unit, comprised of DA investigators and three retired volunteers, have continued to follow-up leads and develop new information regarding Staggs’ disappearance since May 2022.

On Friday, December 27, 2024, at approximately 7:10 AM, a search warrant was executed on the 200 block of NW 7^th Street, Newport, Oregon as an investigative effort into the disappearance of Staggs. Cadaver canines alerted to the scent of human remains in the ground soil removed from the backyard. An extensive search was conducted; however, no human remains were recovered. Through the execution of this search warrant, additional information and witnesses were identified and the investigation continued.

On January 8, 2025, the investigation led investigators to a shallow grave site in remote Lincoln County, Oregon, where human remains were located.  The Oregon State Police Crime Lab and Lincoln County Medicolegal Death Investigator responded to assist in removing the human remains. The remains are believed to be Ryan Staggs, which will be confirmed through the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.  

The incident remains under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team, which consists of detectives from Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Lincoln County DA’s Office, Toledo Police Department, and the FBI.

If you, or anyone you know has information related to the disappearance or murder of Ryan Staggs, please contact Newport Police Det. Darren Cicerone at 541-574-3348, or through the Newport Police Tip Line at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Police Investigation -12/31/24

**UPDATE**  Information released by Lincoln County DA Jenna Wallace

On Friday, December 27, 2024, at approximately 7:10 AM, a search warrant was executed on the 200 block of NW 7^th Street, Newport, Oregon as an investigative effort into the disappearance of Ryan Staggs, DOB 2-22-1991.

Staggs went missing in late January 2022 after being last seen at his residence located at 175 NW 55th Street, Newport, Oregon.  One individual has been arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on a felony offense in connection with the disappearance of Staggs. The incident remains under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team.

If you or anyone you know has information related to the disappearance of Ryan Staggs, please contact the Newport Police Tip Line at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net. 

End of update.

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On December 27, 2024, at about 7:00 AM, law enforcement officers from Lincoln County agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of NW 7^th St.  The warrant is related to a cold case missing persons investigation.  

The investigation remains active.  No further information will be released at this time.  There is no threat to the community.

Adult In Custody Death At The Lincoln County Jail -12/30/24

On Sunday December 22^nd, 2024 at approximately 1200 hours, Newport Police responded to the Lincoln County jail on a report of an Adult in Custody (AIC) death. A death investigation was conducted, which included but was not limited to: interviews of other AIC’s, Corrections Officers, a review of jail surveillance footage, and autopsy findings on the deceased subject, Steven Patrick Riley of Lincoln City.

Information obtained during the investigation, and from the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office who conducted an autopsy on Mr. Riley, indicate that Riley’s death was not related to any suspicious activity and Mr. Riley died of natural causes that were a result of a chronic medical condition that was unreported to jail staff and, possibly, unknown to Mr. Riley.

If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Jack Grippin of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Police Investigation -12/27/24

On December 27, 2024, at about 7:00 AM, law enforcement officers from Lincoln County agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of NW 7^th St.  The warrant is related to a cold case missing persons investigation.  

The investigation remains active.  No further information will be released at this time.  There is no threat to the community.