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Gary Finck Missing Person Case

Last seen in Estacada, Oregon on Jan 29, 2004

Victim Details

Aug 4, 2010

Jan 8, 2024

Gary

Finck

75

53

70 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 29, 2004

Estacada

Oregon

Clackamas County

97023

No

8860

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Oregon City

Oregon

Clackamas County

97045

James White

Detective

2223 Kaen Road, Oregon

5037855000

County

Law Enforcement

https://clackamas.us/sheriff

2004-3763

Feb 1, 2004

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 9, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7831) and 4 other sources
In the winter of 2004, a significant life change preceded the unsettling disappearance of 53-year-old Gary Dale Finck. A quiet man, Gary had recently moved to his family's cabin in the scenic, yet rural, area of Estacada, Oregon, following the recent passing of his mother. Before this move in late December 2003, he had been a long-time resident of the Washington Square area in Tigard. On January 29, 2004, Gary mentioned to his brother-in-law that he was going out for a walk from the Estacada cabin. He left that day and was never seen by his family again. At the time he went missing, it is believed he was wearing a yellow coat and possibly a baseball cap.

Gary is a man who lives with developmental disabilities, including autism and epilepsy, which requires medication to manage seizures. Despite these challenges, he was self-sufficient and accustomed to a life of independence. He navigated his daily routines primarily by walking or utilizing public transportation, for which he had a bus pass. His life in Tigard had a predictable rhythm, which included attending a sheltered workshop in Hillsboro and visiting The Arc to get his spending money. After he vanished, concerned family and investigators noted that he did not return to these familiar places or routines. Authorities monitored his previous residence in Tigard, hoping he might return to the area he knew so well, but he never did. His speech could be loud and garbled, and at the time of his disappearance, he was unshaven with brown, potentially disheveled hair and blue eyes.

In the weeks following Garyï s disappearance, a glimmer of hope emerged when two witnesses reported seeing him in the local area during February 2004. They stated that he appeared to be in good health. His sister has expressed a belief that he may have chosen to travel the area. However, due to his medical conditions and the lack of any contact, his case is considered one of an endangered missing person. The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has investigated his disappearance, but the case has grown cold over the years. The abrupt departure from his established life, combined with his vulnerabilities, has left his family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. The investigation into what happened to Gary Dale Finck remains open, a quiet and lingering mystery in the woods of Estacada.
Last Seen: Jan 29, 2004

Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP7831
  • Gary Dale Finck - The Charley Project
  • In Memoriam (March 2020) - Obituaries – Reporter
  • Gary Finck Missing Person Flyer | Estacada, Oregon | CaseTrace

    • 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 — Bend, Oregon - unidentified case UP60173
    John Doe — Bend, Oregon
    UP60173 • Found Nov 27, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 53
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%99 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 95%180 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

    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)

    Hey everyone, I'm really puzzled by Gary Dale Finck's disappearance, and there's something that... ...Read More
    07/31/2024
    I’ve been following the Gary Finck case for a while now, and something I find particularly puzzling... ...Read More
    11/19/2023

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