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Updated Press Release: Lt. Chad Davis
Release Date: 6/17/20 at 3:05 p.m
Deceased male: Sims, John Eric Age: 36
Portland, Or.
Associated vehicle: 2008 Subaru Forester, red in color
Updated press release narrative:
On 6/16/20, after the initial press release on this incident, a citizen contacted the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and reported they had located a red mountain bike that matched the description of John Sims’ bike. Detectives responded to an area to the east of the Millican OHV play area, where the bike was located near trail # 20. The bike was located less than one mile west of where Sims’ body was recovered. The bike had sustained some damage, which may have been the result of a crash.
Today, 21 members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit and 2 deputies responded to the scene where Sims’ bike was located and conducted an additional search for evidence. The search consisted of grid searching the area between the location of the bike and where Sims’ body was recovered. No additional evidence was located during this search.
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NARRATIVE:
On 6/14/20 at 12:32 p.m., deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a deceased male, who had been located by ATV riders. This location was approximately one mile north of Hwy 20 near milepost 28. Deputies arrived on scene and began conducting a death investigation. Detectives and a Deputy Medical Examiner from the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office arrived on scene to assist in the investigation. The male was later identified as John Eric Sims, age 36, of Portland, Oregon.
The investigation determined Sims had come to visit Central Oregon and his destination was the Pine Mountain Observatory. Sims drove to an area above the Pine Mountain U.S. Forest Service Campground and parked his 2008 Subaru Forester. It is believed Sims left his vehicle riding his mountain bike and at some point became separated from his bike. Sims appeared to have walked for several miles until he collapsed at the location where he was located by the ATV riders. Based upon the condition of Sims’ body, it appeared he died due to exposure to the elements. It was also determined his body had been at the location for several days. There was no evidence of foul play. Sims’ next of kin has been notified.
Investigators are still attempting to locate Sims’ mountain bike, which is described as being an unknown brand mountain bike that is red in color. The public is encouraged to contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office at 541-693-6911, if they locate an abandoned red mountain bike in this area
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.
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