Body discovered in search for Oregon man who got lost near Ketchikan

A body was discovered during the search for a 49-year-old Oregon resident who was reported missing near the Deer Mountain Trail.

Heath Didier, a Portland, Oregon resident, notified Alaska State Troopers at 9:37 p.m. on Sunday that he was lost on the Deer Mountain Trail.

He reported to troopers that he was lost, cold, and lacked water, food, appropriate clothing, and other survival supplies. Didier’s last message came at 10:24 p.m. The Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad soon began looking for Didier. KVRS began their search from the Silvis Lake Trail, but they were unable to find him on foot.

KVRS began the search about 9:40 a.m. Monday, using a contracted aircraft to search the region near Didier’s last known position. An adult male identified as Didier was discovered dead at the bottom of a cliff, half submerged in water.

Officials say teams were unable to safely recover the remains and will return on Tuesday.