Summer Lane Attempted Murder - 07/14/26

RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2026

INCIDENT: Major Crimes Investigation

INCIDENT DATE: July 7, 2026

CASE NUMBER: 26-18588

REPORTING DEPUTY: Undersheriff Snyder

SUSPECT:  Israel Wytcherley, 50-year-old male

VICTIM/MISSING:  Randall Hecker, 67-year-old male

CHARGES: Attempted Murder in the 2^nd Degree

                    Assault I

                    Kidnapping in the 1^st Degree

                    Unlawful use of a Weapon

DETAILS: On July 7, 2026, at 9:43 am, Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane in Grants Pass for a report of a missing person with suspicious circumstances.  Upon the initial investigation, it was determined that Randall “Randy” Hecker was missing from his residence and perhaps in danger.

Detectives from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Grants Pass Police Department responded to the scene and began their investigation.  Investigators identified the suspect in this case as Israel Wytcherley who resides near the victim’s residence.  Wytcherley was located and contacted by investigators at a separate location within the city of Grants Pass.  Wytcherley was arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on the above listed charges.

While this case is still under investigation, several details are not available for public release.  Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Randy Hecker who has not been seen since the incident occurred on July 7th.  Hecker is a 67-year-old white male who is 5’8" and approximately 185 pounds.  Hecker was last seen wearing blue/grey shorts, a light blue t-shirt and a backpack style sprayer similar to the one below.  The backpack sprayer has not been located and is of interest. 

Investigators discovered Wytcherley’s vehicle, a grey 2016 Chevy Silverado, was in the Galice area on the morning of July 7th, 2026.  If anyone recalls seeing this vehicle on the morning of July 7th in the Merlin or Galice area, we ask that you contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Wycherley was originally arrested and lodged on the above charges.  After further investigation, the charges were updated and a Josepine County Grand Jury indicted Wycherley on charges of Murder in the 2^nd Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.  

UPDATE: LOCATED -- Missing Person: Desiree Wytcherley (Photo) - 07/09/26

7/9/2026 UPDATE: Desiree has been located safely.
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Date of Report: 7/3/26

Case #: 26-18307

Name: Desiree Wytcherley

Sex: Female

Age: 40

Height: 5'11"

Weight:145

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Blue

Information:  On July 3, 2026 we received a report that  Desiree Wytcherley was last seen on June 11, 2026 in the Wilderville area. Desiree is known to frequent the Wilderville Store and surrounding Redwood Highway areas.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Desiree, please call the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office 541-474-5123.

Homicide: Upper Deer Creek Road (Photo) - 06/29/26

RELEASE DATE: June 29, 2026

INCIDENT: Homicide

CASE: 26-17713

INCIDENT DATE: June 27, 2026

REPORTING DEPUTY: Detective Sergeant Henrich

VICTIM: Veronica Marie Gray, 57 years old

ARRESTED: Monty Ryan Breedlove, 42 years old

CHARGES: 1- Manslaughter First Degree
                    2- Felon in Possession of a Firearm

DETAILS:
On June 27, 2026, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 report regarding a gunshot wound to a female located in the Deer Creek Road area in Selma. The reporting party had poor cell service and ultimately lost signal. The exact location was not given and the caller left the scene and called from another location. Attempts were made to re-contact the caller, however, they were unsuccessful. Deputies and Troopers with the Oregon State Police continued searching for the wounded individual but were unable to find her.

On June 28, 2026, Detectives with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Oregon State Police began an investigation into the incident. A Sheriff’s Office BLM Deputy, assisted by two BLM Rangers, resumed searching for and located a deceased female, Veronica Gray, in a remote area of Upper Deer Creek Road. During the initial investigation, Detectives conducted multiple interviews and identified Monty Breedlove as the primary suspect.

Breedlove was taken into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Manslaughter in the First Degree and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Next of kin has been notified. At the time of this press release, no further details are being released.