Body Of Male Found While Searching For Missing Kelso Man -04/07/25

On Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 4:44 pm, Weyerhaeuser security personnel located Dean Kirby’s gray 2016 Mazda locked and unoccupied in a remote area approximately 3.5 miles onto Weyerhaeuser-owned property at the end of Ostrander Road. Kirby’s vehicle was found slightly off the traveled portion of the road, immobile and it appeared to have been there for a period of time.

 

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, preserved the immediate area and conducted a preliminary search for Mr. Kirby without success. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, Kelso Police and Cowlitz County Search & Rescue reconvened this morning to complete a more thorough search of the heavily-wooded area.

 

At 11:44 am, members of Search & Rescue located the body of a deceased male approximately one mile from where Mr. Kirby's vehicle was found. There is no evidence to suggest there is any danger to the public related to this discovery.

 

The identification and cause and manner of death of the decedent will be released by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office in the following days.