In the late spring of 1977, a 14year-old male named Rodney Lynn Grissom disappeared from Albany, Oregon. He was last seen on May 24, 1977, and it is believed that he left with a 15-year-old female friend, Karen Lee, who was reported missing two days later. The two had plans to hitchhike to California. Just before they vanished, Karen made a phone call to a friend from a payphone in Lebanon, Oregon, telling them, 'Our ride is here.
I have to go.' This was the last known communication from either of the teenagers. Although Rodney had a history of running away, this time felt different as the weeks turned into months with no word.
Later that same year, a significant discovery was made in a remote, rugged area off a logging road near Soda Fork in eastern Linn County. Some of the personal belongings of both Rodney and Karen were found there, suggesting a far more serious situation than a teenage runaway episode. The items appeared to have been deliberately placed, wrapped in a blanket and tied with a rope. In November 1981, more of their belongings were found by loggers in the same general area. Rodney's clothing, including his blue jeans and jacket, were discovered a quarter of a mile from where Karen's belongings had been found. However, his distinctive framed backpack with 'R. Grissom' written on it was missing. It was later learned that the backpack had been sold at a pawn shop in Bend and then resold at a yard sale, its trail growing cold.
The circumstances surrounding the discovery of their personal effects led authorities to suspect foul play in their disappearance. Despite the passage of decades, the case remains unsolved, and the question of what happened to Rodney Grissom and Karen Lee continues to trouble investigators and their families. The case is classified as an endangered missing person's case. Over the years, there has been speculation about a possible connection to a convicted murderer and suspected serial killer, John Arthur Ackroyd, who was active in Oregon during that time and known to prey on runaways and hitchhikers along Highway 20. The initial report of Rodney's disappearance was made to the Washington County Sheriff's Office in 1977, but it wasn't until 2012 that he was officially reported as a missing person to the Linn County Sheriff's Office, prompting the collection of DNA from family members to aid in the investigation. The case is an overview of two teenagers who set out on an adventure, only to vanish, leaving behind a few scattered belongings and a mystery that has endured for over four decades.Last Seen: May 24, 1977
