ORONDO, WA. — Human remains believed to be those of a Grant County man who was the subject of a Washington State Silver Alert have been recovered in remote terrain near Orondo, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
John Morrison, 70, of Coulee City, was reported missing after he was last seen leaving his residence at approximately 5:30 a.m. on July 5. His vehicle was later found abandoned near Stinar Road and Rivendell Road in Orondo after deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on July 14.
Deputies determined the vehicle belonged to Morrison and launched a search with assistance from Grant County detectives. An aerial drone search on July 14 and additional drone searches the following day did not locate Morrison.
Later on July 15, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office conducted a helicopter search and spotted what appeared to be a deceased person in steep, inaccessible terrain several hundred feet below where Morrison’s vehicle had been found. Due to the location and time of day, recovery efforts were delayed.
On July 16, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit responded and successfully recovered the remains using a hoist-capable aircraft. The remains, believed to be Morrison’s, were transferred to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office for autopsy and formal identification.
The investigation remains ongoing.
