A26-17508 - Missing Person Recovery (Photo)
- 08/31/26
PRESS RELEASE
A26-17508 MISSING PERSON - RECOVERY
AUGUST 31, 2026
On August 28, 2026, a citizen located the vehicle belonging to missing person Brent Erickson, on Weyerhaeuser timberland near the 6402 line. Deputies responded to the scene and confirmed Erickson’s vehicle appeared to be stuck in a ditch and was unoccupied. Deputies were unable to locate Erickson at this time, and due to hours of darkness, the scene was secured and a search and rescue mission was initiated the following morning. Cowlitz Search and Rescue searched the area on August 29, 2026, but was unable to locate Erickson.
On August 30, 2026, a Weyerhaeuser Woods Security employee located Erickson’s body approximately ½ mile from his vehicle, in a steep area with thick underbrush. Deputies responded to the scene with the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office and recovered the body. Mr. Erickson’s next of kin was notified of his passing.
An autopsy has been conducted by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. The cause and manner of death report is pending.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens, staff and volunteers who assisted in the search for Mr. Erickson. Search efforts included over 800 miles of road searches in the St Helens Tree Farm, in addition to ground searches, Human Remains Detection K-9 searches, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) searches. Searchers from Columbia County (OR) Search and Rescue, Clark County Search and Rescue, Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management Amateur Communication Services, Weyerhaeuser Woods Security, and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office UAS Unit and Reserve Deputies assisted with this search.
A26-17508 - Missing Person Recovery (Photo)
- 08/31/26
PRESS RELEASE
A26-17508 MISSING PERSON - RECOVERY
AUGUST 31, 2026
On August 28, 2026, a citizen located the vehicle belonging to missing person Brent Erickson, on Weyerhaeuser timberland near the 6402 line. Deputies responded to the scene and confirmed Erickson’s vehicle appeared to be stuck in a ditch and was unoccupied. Deputies were unable to locate Erickson at this time, and due to hours of darkness, the scene was secured and a search and rescue mission was initiated the following morning. Cowlitz Search and Rescue searched the area on August 29, 2026, but was unable to locate Erickson.
On August 30, 2026, a Weyerhaeuser Woods Security employee located Erickson’s body approximately ½ mile from his vehicle, in a steep area with thick underbrush. Deputies responded to the scene with the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office and recovered the body. Mr. Erickson’s next of kin was notified of his passing.
An autopsy has been conducted by the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. The cause and manner of death report is pending.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens, staff and volunteers who assisted in the search for Mr. Erickson. Search efforts included over 800 miles of road searches in the St Helens Tree Farm, in addition to ground searches, Human Remains Detection K-9 searches, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) searches. Searchers from Columbia County (OR) Search and Rescue, Clark County Search and Rescue, Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management Amateur Communication Services, Weyerhaeuser Woods Security, and the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office UAS Unit and Reserve Deputies assisted with this search.
A26-18435 Missing Person - Recovery (Photo)
- 08/26/26
PRESS RELEASE
A26-18435 MISSING PERSON – RECOVERY
AUGUST 26, 2026
On August 20, 2026, 64-year-old Kelso resident Michael Dean White was reported missing to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. White’s truck was located off North Pacific Avenue in Kelso near a fishing area on the Cowlitz River. A fisherman found a cell phone in the area belonging to Mr. White, which was turned in to the Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. White was entered as a missing person, and on August 22, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol searched for Mr. White along the Cowlitz River. Despite extensive efforts, including the use of sonar and searches along the riverbanks, Mr. White was not located.
On August 26, 2026, a 911 caller reported finding a body floating in the Columbia River near the Lewis and Clark Bridge. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and deputies responded to the area and recovered the body. The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and identified the decedent as Michael Dean White.
Mr. White’s family has been notified of his recovery. An autopsy is scheduled through the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. No additional information regarding the cause or manner of death is available at this time.
Undersheriff Troy Brightbill
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office
A26-18435 Missing Person - Recovery (Photo)
- 08/26/26
PRESS RELEASE
A26-18435 MISSING PERSON – RECOVERY
AUGUST 26, 2026
On August 20, 2026, 64-year-old Kelso resident Michael Dean White was reported missing to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. White’s truck was located off North Pacific Avenue in Kelso near a fishing area on the Cowlitz River. A fisherman found a cell phone in the area belonging to Mr. White, which was turned in to the Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. White was entered as a missing person, and on August 22, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol searched for Mr. White along the Cowlitz River. Despite extensive efforts, including the use of sonar and searches along the riverbanks, Mr. White was not located.
On August 26, 2026, a 911 caller reported finding a body floating in the Columbia River near the Lewis and Clark Bridge. The Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and deputies responded to the area and recovered the body. The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and identified the decedent as Michael Dean White.
Mr. White’s family has been notified of his recovery. An autopsy is scheduled through the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office. No additional information regarding the cause or manner of death is available at this time.
Undersheriff Troy Brightbill
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office
