On the morning of September 21, 2002, 48-year-old Jerry Lee McKoen was last seen at his home on the family farm near Malin, Oregon, at approximately 5:30 a.m. It was not unusual for Jerry, an avid outdoorsman, to head out early, but he typically left a note for his family, a detail that was uncharacteristically absent that particular day. He drove off in his brown and white 1986 GMC pickup truck, which was equipped with a distinctive camper shell.
He was believed to be on his way to go hunting with a bow and arrows. When he failed to return, his family reported him missing, initiating a search that would span years and leave more questions than answers.
Two weeks after he was last seen, on October 8, 2002, Jerry's pickup truck was discovered. It was found in a heavily wooded area in Siskiyou County, California, just west of Medicine Lake Road and south of the Door Knob Snowmobile Park. The location was approximately 40 miles south of Klamath Falls, in the shadow of Mount Shasta. The discovery of the vehicle, however, only deepened the mystery. The truck was locked, which was out of character for Jerry, and the heater was on high while the radio was off. There was no sign of Jerry, his bow and arrows, or any indication of what might have happened to him at the scene.
The discovery of the truck prompted extensive search efforts in the surrounding Modoc National Forest. Nearly 100 volunteers, along with dog teams and a California Highway Patrol helicopter, scoured an area of eight to ten square miles. Searchers utilized global positioning system devices to ensure a thorough search, yet no trace of Jerry or any of his belongings was found. The lack of any clues has been perplexing to both law enforcement and his family, who have considered the possibility of foul play. The case remains an unsolved and painful mystery for his loved ones and the community, as they continue to hope for answers in the disappearance of Jerry Lee McKoen.Last Seen: Sep 21, 2002
