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@WCSOOregon
This afternoon, shortly before 3:00 p.m., searchers located the body of Toufik "Tom" Tanous in Gales Creek, near Hwy 47, approximately one mile southwest of the location he was last seen. The Washington County Medical Examiner came to the scene to continue the investigation and determine the cause of death. At this time, there does not appear to be any foul play involved in Mr. Tanous' death.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team would like to thank all the search teams who helped look for Mr. Tanous, including:
- Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Yamhill County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Tillamook County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Hood River County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
- Mountain Wave Emergency Communications
- Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue
- Forest Grove Police Department
- Oregon State Police
The Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team would also like to thank the community members and businesses who donated supplies to the searchers over the past few days.
This morning, our Search and Rescue Team continue to search for 79-year-old Toufik "Tom" Tanous. Deputies ask residents in the Forest Grove area to please check their garages, carports, sheds, outbuildings, or other similar locations on their property where Mr. Tanous may have sought shelter.
As of this morning, Search and Rescue team members have been able to search approximately a half-mile radius from where Mr. Tanous was last seen - Hawthorne House Care Facility, located at 2635 21st Ave., in Forest Grove. Team members are continuing to broaden their search today.
Today, our Search and Rescue Team is being assisted by Search and Rescue Teams from Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, and Hood River County Sheriff's Office.
If you know where Mr. Tanous is or have information about his whereabouts, please contact 9-1-1 or non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
Additionally, if you live near Hawthorne and 21st and have an exterior video camera or video doorbell, please check any footage from Tuesday night after 8:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 8:48 p.m., Forest Grove Police were dispatched to a missing person call at Hawthorne House Care Facility, located at 2635 21st Ave., in Forest Grove. They were told 79-year-old Toufik "Tom" Tanous walked away from the care facility without staff knowledge between 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Mr. Tanous has Alzheimer's and is likely disoriented and unable to seek help independently. Mr. Tanous may seek shelter in small or reclusive areas and may have trouble engaging or responding to his name. Mr. Tanous was reportedly spotted walking south away from the area of Hawthorne St. and 19th Ave. shortly after being last seen by staff.
Mr. Tanous is 5' 10" tall, 125 pounds, has white hair and brown eyes, and goes by the name "Tom." He was last wearing the clothes in the attached picture.
Shortly after Mr. Tanous went missing, Forest Grove Police asked for assistance from the Washington County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team (SAR). SAR Team members began arriving at the search location at 9:00 p.m. and searched until 4:00 a.m. when they suspended the search until the morning.
At 8:00 a.m. this morning, our SAR team arrived back at the location to continue searching for Mr. Tanous.
If you know where Mr. Tanous is or have information about his whereabouts, please contact 9-1-1 or non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.
The WCSO Search and Rescue Team (SAR) is made up of teens and young adults (ages 14 to 21) who serve as the primary ground search and rescue team for Washington County. Led by experienced and highly trained Sheriff's Office staff, our Search and Rescue members are often actively involved in missions involving lost people, down aircraft, and looking for evidence in major crimes.