Linn County Sheriff's Office Investigates Drowning At Lewis Creek Park (Photo) - 08/10/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on August 9, 2026 at 5:41 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing person at Lewis Creek Park in Sweet Home. It was reported that Shuaib Ahmed Mubarak, 37, of Corvallis, was visiting the park with family and friends and had not been seen for approximately one hour. 

While deputies were responding to the park to conduct a search for Mubarak, two swimmers reported seeing a person submerged in approximately 10 feet of water within the enclosed swimming area of the park.  Personnel from the Sweet Home Fire Department and members of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded and pulled the person from the water.  The person was confirmed to be Mubarak, who was confirmed to be deceased.  Mubarak was transported to Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.  Our thoughts are with Mubarak’s friends and family during this difficult time.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information on this incident, or who may have seen Mubarak at the park, is asked to contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 967-3950 and reference case number 26-03091. 

Detectives Investigating Shooting Death In Mill City (Photo) - 08/06/26

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on August 5, 2026, at approximately 4:14 a.m., deputies with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7-Eleven in Mill City after receiving a report of a female who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  A deputy arrived within minutes of the report and located a male acting erratic near a black 2010 Ford Edge, and a female inside the vehicle.  The deputy began performing lifesaving measures on the female as she did not have a pulse.  Responding paramedics declared the female deceased shortly after their arrival. 

Detectives from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location to assist with the investigation.  Investigators identified the female as Kristie Ann Miltimore, 41, and the male as Rian Eugene Bernhardt, 51, both from Bend.  Rian Bernhardt was interviewed at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and later arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail for the charge of Possession of Weapons by Certain Felons (Firearm). 

Investigators determined that Kristie Miltimore and Rian Bernhardt were together at the time of the shooting at an unknown location near the Mill City area.  Investigators are asking for anyone that may have seen the Ford Edge or had contact with Rian Bernhardt or Kristie Miltimore prior to the shooting to contact Detective Scott Tennant at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 967-3950.  No further information is available at this time.

CLIMBER MISSING ON MOUNT JEFFERSON - 07/25/26

Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on July 24, 2026, at approximately 1135 hours, the Linn County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reporting a climber had fallen on Mount Jefferson.

The caller relayed a report from two climbers, who stated they witnessed an unknown climber fall down the west side of the summit near the Red Saddle before disappearing from view into the Milk Creek drainage. The climber was described only as a male, possibly wearing a bright red jacket.

An Oregon Army National Guard helicopter launched to search the area and located what is believed to be the climber's backpack and other gear on the west side of the summit but was unable to locate the climber. Ground search and rescue teams were deployed and started to hike into the base of Mount Jefferson. By the time the teams were deployed, the decision was made to have the teams hike in as far as they could in the evening and make camp for the night. The teams planned to make the ascent at first light in the morning.

On July 25, 2026, at approximately 0608 hours, the Linn County Sheriff's Office received a report of a missing person that had been climbing Mount Jefferson the day before and had missed scheduled check-ins with his wife.  Investigators were able to confirm the backpack and gear recovered belonged to the missing person, identified as Jared John Empey, 37, of Kuna, Idaho.  Jared was an experienced climber had left to solo-summit Mount Jefferson.

Based on witness observations, Jared’s fall was not survivable.  Currently, recovery efforts are continuing throughout the day.  However, where Jared fell, recovery may not be possible.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Oregon Army National Guard, Oregon Department of Emergency Management, Corvallis Mountain Rescue, Eugene Mountain Rescue, Idanha-Detroit Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service for their assistance.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to Jared’s family and friends during this difficult time.