Account
Nov 09, 2011
Jan 05, 2024
Stephen
Litsey
84
71
67 inches
165 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
In the crisp autumn air of the Oregon wilderness, 71-year-old Stephen Douglas Litsey embarked on what should have been a routine hunting trip. On the morning of October 29, 2011, in the Twin Lakes area near Diamond Lake, he and his hunting partner separated with a plan to meet up later in the day. Stephen, an experienced outdoorsman, was dressed in camouflage and carrying a hunting rifle. As the hours turned to dusk and Stephen failed to return to their designated meeting spot, concern began to mount. The following day, his partner officially reported him missing to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, triggering an extensive search in the rugged terrain. The search for Stephen was immediate and widespread, involving search and rescue teams from both Oregon and California. Crews scoured the mountainous landscape, hoping to find any sign of the missing hunter. They discovered some candy wrappers and water bottles, but it was impossible to determine if these items belonged to Stephen. Tragically, the search efforts were severely hampered by the onset of a significant snowstorm just a few days after his disappearance, which blanketed the area and likely obscured any tracks or other evidence. Despite their tireless efforts, searchers were unable to locate Stephen, his backpack, or his rifle. Compounding the difficulty of the search was the fact that he had left his cell phone and GPS device behind in his camper. As days turned into weeks with no sign of Stephen, the official search was eventually suspended due to the increasingly hazardous weather conditions. The lack of any concrete evidence or leads left his family, friends, and the community with a painful absence of closure. The rugged wilderness that he loved so much seemed to have swallowed him without a trace. In the years that followed, the case remained open but inactive, a lingering mystery in Douglas County. With no new information or discoveries, Stephen's wife made the difficult decision to have him declared legally dead in 2013. The disappearance of Stephen Litsey is a somber reminder of how quickly a familiar excursion in the great outdoors can turn into a lasting tragedy, leaving behind unanswered questions and a family forever changed.
Oct 29, 2011
Diamond Lake
Oregon
Douglas County
No
10983
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Roseburg
Oregon
Douglas County
97470
Brad O'Dell
Sergeant
1036 Southeast Douglas Avenue, Oregon
5414404450
County
Law Enforcement
11-4142
2011-10-30
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
White
Hazel
Hazel
06/03/2026
