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Jack O'hollaren Missing Person Case

Last seen in Florence, Oregon on Apr 15, 2016

Victim Details

May 10, 2016

Jan 12, 2024

Jack

O'hollaren

30

20

70 inches

120 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 15, 2016

Florence

Oregon

Lane County

No

18321

Lane County Sheriff's Office

Eugene

Oregon

Lane County

97401

Barry Howarth

Records Officer

125 East 8th Avenue, Oregon

5416824150

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office

1602503

Apr 16, 2016

Lane County Sheriff's Office

Black

Brown

Brown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP33627) and 5 other sources
Jack Charles O’Hollaren was a 20-year-old male from Oregon who was last seen on April 15, 2016, in Florence, Oregon, near the Siuslaw River and its north jetty area. Described as a white male with black hair and brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds, he was a sophomore at the University of Oregon at the time of his disappearance. According to information released by investigators and later documented in missing-person records, O’Hollaren was attending a gathering on the coast during the evening hours when the events leading to his disappearance unfolded.

Reports indicate that shortly after 8:00 p.m., O’Hollaren entered the cold waters near the north jetty after spending time at a beach party. Witness information provided to authorities stated that he had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs before going into the water. Investigative accounts describe him swimming approximately 40 yards from shore into waters estimated to be around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. He was then seen disappearing in the surf and did not return. Friends and witnesses quickly recognized that something was wrong, prompting emergency calls and an immediate response from authorities.

An extensive search effort was launched involving multiple agencies and significant resources. Search crews from the United States Coast Guard and local authorities combed the area by air and water, utilizing rescue boats and helicopters in an attempt to locate the missing student. Reports indicate that approximately 100 square miles were searched during the operation. Despite these efforts and many hours of searching, no trace of O’Hollaren was found. The search was eventually suspended, a difficult decision for both rescuers and loved ones as hope for finding him diminished without any confirmed sightings or discoveries.

In the years that followed, O’Hollaren’s case remained listed in national missing-person databases and other public records. Investigators continued to classify the case as a missing-person investigation, and information about his physical description and disappearance remained available to assist any future leads. Sources note that authorities came to believe that he may have drowned in the dangerous coastal waters where he was last seen, though the absence of recovered remains has left the case officially unresolved. Family members, friends, and investigators have been left without definitive answers regarding his final moments.

The story of Jack O’Hollaren is one marked by tragedy, uncertainty, and the challenges posed by the powerful waters of the Oregon coast. A young university student with his future ahead of him vanished after entering the ocean near Florence on the evening of April 15, 2016. Despite a large-scale search and years of awareness through missing-person networks, no confirmed trace of him has ever been located. The case remains a poignant reminder of how quickly circumstances can change and how some disappearances continue to leave unanswered questions long after the initial search efforts have ended.
Last Seen: Apr 15, 2016

Links to Additional Sources (5)

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  • Jack Charles O'Hollaren - The Charley Project
  • Friends and family of missing UO student continue search - KMTR
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP33627
  • Jack O'Hollaren Obituary (1995 - 2016) - Portland, OR
  • Jack Charles O'Hollaren (1995-2016) - Find a Grave Memorial

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    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.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Florence, Oregon - unidentified case UP97387
    John Doe — Florence, Oregon
    UP97387 • Found Sep 21, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 67%Est. 30–45 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%Same area, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10"–6'4" vs 5'10"

    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 (3)

    Wow, it's been over seven years since Jack O'Hollaren went missing, and I can't stop thinking about... ...Read More
    11/21/2023
    I've been following Jack O'Hollaren's case from Florence since it first happened, and something... ...Read More
    11/03/2023
    Has anyone else been following the case of Jack O'Hollaren from Florence? I've been diving deep into... ...Read More
    06/18/2023

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