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Case Description

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Harvey William Reeser, an 80-year-old man from Sweet Home, Oregon, went missing on August 5, 1997. He was last seen fishing at Green Peter Reservoir in an 8-foot aluminum boat. Reeser was expected to return home by noon but never did. His family became concerned when he failed to come back, and a search was initiated. Items from his boat were later found floating in the reservoir, suggesting a possible accident.

Despite extensive efforts, Harvey Reeser has never been located, and his di ...Read More
Last Seen: Aug 05, 1997

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Victim Details

Dec 02, 2010

Jan 08, 2024

Harvey

Reeser

107

80

67 inches

190 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the summer of 1997, a profound sense of unease settled over the community of Sweet Home, Oregon, following the disappearance of 80-year-old Harvey William Reeser. On August 5th, Mr. Reeser, a beloved husband and father, ventured out for a day of fishing on the serene waters of Green Peter Reservoir. He was in his 8-foot aluminum boat, a familiar sight on the reservoir, and had told his family he would be home by noon. As the hours stretched past his expected return, a growing sense of dread began to take hold. Harvey, a man described as a devoted husband to his wife, Norma, was known for his responsible nature, making his failure to return home all the more alarming. The search for Harvey Reeser began with a sense of urgency, as family and local authorities scoured the vast expanse of the reservoir and its surrounding shores. Their hopes of finding him safe were dashed when items from his small boat were discovered floating on the water's surface. This discovery led investigators to a heartbreaking conclusion: it was believed that Harvey had become the victim of a drowning accident. Despite extensive search efforts, Mr. Reeser was never located, leaving his family and the community with a lingering sense of loss and unanswered questions. The Linn County Sheriff's Office has maintained an open case file on his disappearance, a somber reminder of the day a fishing trip ended in tragedy. The years that have passed since Harvey Reeser's disappearance have not diminished the impact of his loss on his loved ones. His wife, Norma, lived for many years after his disappearance, passing away in 2023 at the age of 103, always holding onto the memory of her husband. The case serves as a poignant illustration of how a seemingly ordinary day can take a tragic turn, leaving a void in the lives of those left behind. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and unforeseen tragedy. An elderly man, enjoying a favorite pastime, vanishes without a trace, with the only clues pointing to a likely drowning. Without the recovery of his remains, the final chapter of Harvey Reeser's life remains unwritten, a story of love, loss, and the enduring pain of not knowing.

Aug 05, 1997

Sweet Home

Oregon

Linn County

97386

No

9390

Linn County Sheriff's Office

Albany

Oregon

Linn County

97322

Andy Franklin

Captain

1115 SE Jackson Street, Oregon

5419673950

County

Law Enforcement

97-11895

1997-08-05

Linn County Sheriff's Office

Gray or Partially Gray

Unknown

Unknown

No

05/29/2026


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