Account
Feb 13, 2026
Feb 16, 2026
Wesley
Jones
71
71
68 inches
120 lbs
140 lbs
American Indian / Alaska Native
Male
On the afternoon of October 5, 2025, Wesley Dixon Jones, a 71-year-old elder of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. He was last seen around 3:15 p.m. in the passenger seat of a vehicle on Short Mile Road, a rural stretch within the reservation lands near Pendleton, Oregon. The vehicle, identified as a gray 2003 Ford Escape, was observed traveling east; however, when it was seen again about two and a half hours later heading west, Jones was no longer inside. Jones, a man described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 140 pounds with long black hair and brown eyes, was reportedly wearing a black and red "Tigerscot" jacket, a black shirt, black sweatpants, and boots at the time. His family reported him missing later that evening when he failed to return home, an occurrence they described as highly unusual for the experienced outdoorsman who knew the local lands intimately. The disappearance of Wesley Jones, known to some as "Buller," prompted an extensive and multi-faceted search effort led by the Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD), with assistance from various other agencies and community volunteers. Search and rescue teams, including those from the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office, utilized canine units, aerial drones, and ground searches in the days and weeks following his disappearance. The search was expansive, covering areas along the Umatilla River, Cayuse and Bingham roads, and River Road. Volunteer groups like the MMIW Search & Hope Alliance brought specialized equipment, such as sonar, to scan deeper portions of the river. In a significant development, the FBI became involved, and in early December, a five-member FBI dive team searched Johnley Pond, a former rock quarry near Cayuse, though the search yielded no clues. Despite these exhaustive efforts, no trace of Jones was found. The investigation into Wesley Jones's case has been complex and remains open, though it has been described by law enforcement as "functionally inactive" due to a lack of new leads. Investigators have treated it as a criminal investigation from early on, not ruling out the possibility of foul play, though no evidence has been publicly shared to support this. The identity of the woman driving the vehicle in which Jones was last seen has not been released, with authorities citing the ongoing investigation. His own vehicle was later found at his home with a flat tire. The case presents a troubling overview: a respected tribal elder vanished in broad daylight from his own community after being seen in a vehicle that later returned without him. The absence of answers has left his family and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in a prolonged state of uncertainty and grief as the search for Wesley Jones continues to be driven by hope and the persistence of his loved ones.
Oct 05, 2025
Pendleton
Oregon
Umatilla County
97801
Yes
186317
Umatilla Tribal Police Department
Pendleton
Oregon
Umatilla County
97801
Tony Barnett
Investigations Supervisor
46400 Timine Way, Oregon
5412780550
Tribal
Law Enforcement
25-0701
2025-10-05
Umatilla Tribal Police Department
Black
Brown
Brown
05/13/2026
