Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office

Emergency Messages as of 6:04 AM, Wed. Nov 12

No information currently posted.

logo

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

Sheriff’s Office Detectives Investigating Rural Gold Hill Homicide Next To I-5, Suspect In Custody (Photo) - 10/31/25

JCSO Case 25-5623

 

GOLD HILL, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill. The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public.

 

Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

 

ECSO 911 Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on I-5 South near mile marker 42.5 on Thursday, October 30, at 8:01 AM. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM.

 

Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle.

 

At 10:00 AM, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a call for a suspicious person in the 1000 block of Galls Creek Road. JCSO detectives and deputies responded and determined the suspicious person to be the suspect in the homicide.

 

The suspect, Michael Lloyd Balestra Jr., 34, of Gold Hill, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. Balestra is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

 

I-5 southbound at mile marker 42.5 was restricted to one lane of travel during the initial investigation but has since reopened. The intersection of Old Stage Rd. and Galls Creek Rd. was closed during the on-scene investigation and has also reopened. OSP Crime Lab responded to assist with forensics.

 

MADIU consists of detectives from OSP, JCSO, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. There is no further information available for release at this time.

 

###

Attached Media Files: 5A8A3866.jpg, 5A8A3873.jpg, 5A8A3907.jpg, 5A8A3922.jpg, 5A8A3927.jpg, IMG_1544.jpg, IMG_1556.jpeg,

Sheriff’s Office Detectives Investigating Rural Gold Hill Homicide Next To I-5, Suspect In Custody (Photo) - 10/31/25

JCSO Case 25-5623

 

GOLD HILL, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives are investigating a homicide next to Interstate 5 in the area of Old Stage Road and Galls Creek Road in rural Gold Hill. The suspect has been taken into custody, and there is no danger to the public.

 

Next-of-kin has been notified. The victim is Steven Jason Worthington, 47, of Shady Cove. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

 

ECSO 911 Dispatch received multiple calls for an injured person attempting to flag down cars on I-5 South near mile marker 42.5 on Thursday, October 30, at 8:01 AM. JCSO deputies and Fire District 1 Rogue River paramedics arrived on scene and attempted life saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased at 8:36 AM.

 

Oregon State Police, Rogue River Police Department, and the Jackson County Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) responded to assist. Multiple law enforcement units searched the area attempting to locate the suspect and an unknown involved vehicle.

 

At 10:00 AM, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a call for a suspicious person in the 1000 block of Galls Creek Road. JCSO detectives and deputies responded and determined the suspicious person to be the suspect in the homicide.

 

The suspect, Michael Lloyd Balestra Jr., 34, of Gold Hill, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. Balestra is lodged in the Jackson County Jail.

 

I-5 southbound at mile marker 42.5 was restricted to one lane of travel during the initial investigation but has since reopened. The intersection of Old Stage Rd. and Galls Creek Rd. was closed during the on-scene investigation and has also reopened. OSP Crime Lab responded to assist with forensics.

 

MADIU consists of detectives from OSP, JCSO, Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, Ashland Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office. There is no further information available for release at this time.

 

###

Attached Media Files: 5A8A3866.jpg, 5A8A3873.jpg, 5A8A3907.jpg, 5A8A3922.jpg, 5A8A3927.jpg, IMG_1544.jpg, IMG_1556.jpeg,