In the vast and often rugged landscape of Oregon, a story of concern and unanswered questions began to unfold in the spring of 2022. Lewis Selam, a 71-year-old man, was last seen on March 16, 2022, in Warm Springs, Oregon. Known affectionately as Louie to his friends and family, he was an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and was of Nez Perce, Umatilla, and Yakama descent.
On the day he vanished, Selam was seen at the Warm Springs Tribal Credit Enterprise. It is believed he was wearing a gray Adidas sweatshirt with three black stripes, new blue jeans, and boots. His disappearance was uncharacteristic, leaving his loved ones baffled and deeply worried as he had never left without warning before.
A few days after he was last seen, a significant clue in his case emerged, though it only deepened the mystery. Selam's white 2005 Toyota Celica hatchback was discovered abandoned and locked, stuck in the snow near the intersection of the P500 and P200 roads. This area, known as Peter's Pasture, is located at the base of Mount Jefferson within the Warm Springs Reservation. Inside the vehicle were items that painted a picture of a man in the midst of his daily life: the hat he frequently wore, groceries, and dog food he had just purchased. The discovery of his car, approximately 18 or 19 miles from the community, prompted search and rescue efforts in the expansive wilderness area.
Despite the efforts of law enforcement and search and rescue teams, the search for Male Lewis Selam was officially called off around the end of March 2022, citing a lack of substantial evidence to proceed. Although scent-tracking dogs were able to follow a trail to a rimrock area, they were unable to locate him. The challenging landscape of the Mt. Jefferson wilderness, spanning a massive area, presented significant obstacles to the search. His family, however, has expressed that they will not give up and will continue their own search for their beloved husband, father, and brother. The case of Male Lewis Selam remains an active missing person case, a somber reminder of a well-liked and known community member who seemingly vanished without a trace. His disappearance is a puzzle with too many missing pieces, leaving his family and community with a profound sense of loss and a lingering hope for answers.Last Seen: Mar 16, 2022
