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Brian Wells Missing Person Case

Last seen in Depoe Bay, Oregon on Jan 11, 2008

Victim Details

Mar 15, 2017

Jan 5, 2024

Brian

Wells

61

43

72 inches

190 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 11, 2008

Depoe Bay

Oregon

Lincoln County

No

34429

Oregon State Police - Newport

Newport

Oregon

,

08015427

Oregon State Police - Newport

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP37489) and 5 other sources
On a January day in 2008, 43-year-old Brian Albert Wells was visiting the Oregon coast with his wife and a friend. The group stopped at the scenic Rocky Creek State Park wayside, a spot known for its dramatic cliffs and ocean views, located a couple of miles south of Depoe Bay. An avid photographer, Wells was reportedly leaning over the edge of a cliff to capture some pictures when he lost his footing and fell. His wife and friend watched in horror as he went into the water below. At the time of his disappearance on January 11, 2008, he was wearing a dark blue sweatshirt over a gray t-shirt, blue 501 jeans, and gray sneakers.

Immediate search efforts were launched, involving the Oregon State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Depoe Bay Fire & Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard. A Coast Guard helicopter was utilized to scan the area, but the search was suspended late Friday night. Efforts resumed the following morning with the help of various local agencies, but tragically, no sign of Brian Wells was found. The fall was estimated to be about 60 feet, onto rocks and into the turbulent water, and he was last seen by his companions in the water before disappearing from sight.

The initial intensive search for Brian Wells was ultimately unsuccessful, and he has remained missing ever since. The circumstances of his disappearance, a beautiful day at the coast that turned into a tragedy, serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the power and danger of the ocean. The case is a somber overview of how quickly a scenic outing can turn devastating, leaving a family with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of a lost loved one. Extensive searches by multiple agencies in the immediate aftermath of the event yielded no results, and the beautiful but treacherous Oregon coastline holds the secrets of his final moments.
Last Seen: Jan 11, 2008

Links to Additional Sources (5)

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  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP37489
  • Search ends for photographer who fell into ocean - KPIC
  • Coast Guard cancels search for missing man | Local News ...
  • Death of Brian Wells - Wikipedia
  • In 2003, pizza delivery driver Brian Wells robbed a bank with a collar ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Newport, Oregon - unidentified case UP125974
    John Doe — Newport, Oregon
    UP125974 • Found Apr 18, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 96%Est. 60–75 vs 43 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Florence, Oregon - unidentified case UP97387
    John Doe — Florence, Oregon
    UP97387 • Found Sep 21, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 43 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%57 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10"–6'4" vs 6'0"

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else been following the Brian Wells case from 2008? I've been curious about what factors... ...Read More
    08/14/2023
    I was browsing through some older missing person cases and came across the one about Brian Wells.... ...Read More
    02/12/2023

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