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Stephen Litsey Missing Person Case

Last seen in Diamond Lake, Oregon on Oct 29, 2011

Victim Details

Nov 9, 2011

Jan 5, 2024

Stephen

Litsey

86

71

67 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

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

https://www.dcso.com/

11-4142

Oct 30, 2011

Douglas County Sheriff's Office

White

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 15, 2026


Area Last Seen:

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The disappearance of Stephen Litsey and Shane Sprenger

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP12912) and 7 other sources
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.
Last Seen: Oct 29, 2011

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP12912
  • Stephen Douglas Litsey - The Charley Project
  • Missing Persons & Unsolved Cases in Douglas County, Oregon
  • The disappearance of Stephen Litsey and Shane Sprenger
  • Douglas County authorities suspend search for missing hunter
  • Stephen Litsey - October 2011 - Diamond Lake, Oregon - Oregon's ...
  • Stephen Douglas Litsey Missing Person Flyer | Diamond Lake ...

    • 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.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — Cottage Grove, Oregon - unidentified case UP58583
    John Doe — Cottage Grove, Oregon
    UP58583 • Found Apr 26, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 71 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8"–6'2" vs 5'7"
    Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

    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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (3)

    Hey all, I've been following the Stephen Douglas Litsey case for a while now, and there's something... ...Read More
    08/09/2024
    Has anyone else looked into the weather patterns back in October 2011 around the time Stephen Litsey... ...Read More
    11/15/2023
    Was anyone else puzzled by the decision to leave behind his cell phone and GPS? I understand that in... ...Read More
    04/07/2023

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