North Douglas Herald
Man Arrested in Hatchery
Break-In Kills 18,000
Salmon with Bleach
Gardiner, OR - A Gardiner man has been
arrested in a burglary of the Gardiner, Reedsport,
and Winchester Bay (GRWB) Salmon Trout
Enhancement Program (STEP) hatchery.
The investigation began on Monday, April 22,
2024, when deputies were alerted that someone had
forcibly made entry into the hatchery building. Once
inside, the suspect had poured a chemical substance
into one of the rearing ponds causing the death
of approximately 18,000 smolt chinook salmon.
Deputies processed the scene and began conducting
a follow up investigation.
A container of bleach had been taken from
a supply shed and emptied into a rearing tank
with thousands of young, pre-smolt Chinook
salmon.STEP president Deborah Yates told KLCC
that a hatchery volunteer found the dead fish at
feeding time, laying on the tank floor.
“Ironically, it was Earth Day,” Yates said. “We
were highly concerned that it was eco-terrorists.”
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, around 6:30 p.m., a
deputy patrolling the area observed a male walking
south along Highway 101 near milepost 210. A
short time later the deputy walked into the hatchery
and observed that same male behind the locked
gate and no trespassing signs. The male, identified
as 20-year-old Gardiner resident Joshua Alexander
Heckathorn, was contacted and interviewed by the
deputy. During the interview, Heckathorn admitted
to trespassing on the property and entering a
storage location and handling the chemical bottle
on Monday.
Deputies arrested Heckathorn and lodged him
at the Douglas County Jail on charges of Burglary
II, Criminal Trespass and Criminal Mischief.
Due to the number of smolt chinook salmon that
were killed in the incident, the Sheriff’s Office is
collaborating with the Oregon State Police Fish and
Wildlife unit on the case.
“Solving this case is the result of collaboration and
good policework,” Sheriff John Hanlin remarked. “I
am proud of the work done by the deputies and
have full confidence that the investigation will aid
in holding those responsible accountable for their
actions.”
The Sheriff’s Office was also assisted by the
Reedsport Police Department.
Body Recovered from the
North Umpqua River
Idleyld Park, OR - On April 19, 2024, Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue
organized a large scale search in their ongoing
efforts to locate 27-year-old Rachel Merchant-
Ly of Idleyld Park. Merchant-Ly was reported
missing on Thursday, February 29, 2024, when
she didn’t arrive at Glide Elementary School
where she worked as a kindergarten teacher.
Later that morning, a Douglas County Sheriff’s
deputy located signs of a motor vehicle crash near
milepost 41 on Highway 138E.
On Friday, March 1, 2024, Merchant-Ly’s
vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua
River, but she was not found inside. Since
that time, searchers have conducted numerous
searches by water, land, and air without success.
On April 19, 2024, searchers from Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue,
Jackson County Search and Rescue and Lane
County Search and Rescue organized to conduct
further searching. Volunteer rafting groups and
community members also organized and were
coordinating with the Sheriff’s Office efforts.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., a community
member volunteer located a deceased body in the
river approximately 7.5 miles downstream from
the crash site. Deputies confirmed the presence of
the body and began coordinating recovery efforts.
The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office
responded and confirmed the body to be that of
Rachel Merchant-Ly.
“I cannot thank the dedicated deputies,
SAR Volunteers, agency partners and
community members who have not given up
on finding Rachel,” Sheriff John Hanlin said.
“Commissioner Freeman and I have been in
personal communication with Rachel’s husband,
mother, father and extended family. They are
extremely thankful for the efforts of everyone
involved.”
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted throughout the
investigation by Douglas County, Jackson County
and Lane County Search and Rescue teams, the
Oregon State Search and Rescue Coordinator,
Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of
Transportation, Pacific Power, Weekly Brothers,
North Umpqua Outfitters, Northwest Rafters
Association, Douglas County Fire District #2 and
all of the community members who volunteered
their time.
Man In Custody Dies at
Mercy Medical Center
Roseburg, OR - An adult male who had been in
custody at the Douglas County Jail died at Mercy
Medical Center on Monday, April 15, 2024.
Deputies in the jail found 33-year-old Derek
Michael Ruh unconscious and unresponsive in his
bunk. Deputies initiated resuscitative efforts and
dialed 9-1-1 for an ambulance.
Once EMS arrived on scene, they took over
lifesaving efforts and transported Ruh to Mercy
Medical Center. Ruh was later pronounced deceased
at the hospital.
The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s
Office is investigating the death. On Tuesday, April
16, 2024, an autopsy was conducted at the Oregon
State Medical Examiner’s Office. Full toxicological
screening is pending, but Ruh’s death is suspected to
be the results of a drug overdose.
Drug overdose deaths within the community
have increased significantly over the past several
years. Each overdose death is heartbreaking and has
a profound impact on the lives lost and those who
knew them.
“I send my deepest condolences to the family
and friends of Mr. Ruh,” Sheriff John Hanlin
remarked.
Ruh had been taken into custody by the
Roseburg Police Department on Sunday, April 14,
2024, shortly after 10:00 pm. He was being held at
the Douglas County Jail on an arrest warrant out of
Linn County.
Public Meeting Notice:
Dog Control Board
Roseburg, OR - The Douglas County Dog Control
Board will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April
17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Douglas County
Courthouse, Room 216, located at 1036 SE Douglas
Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97470. The agenda
meeting agenda can be located at: www.dcso.com/
dogboard
In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690,
we will accommodate any member of the public
who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the live
stream or post meeting recording, please visit: https:
//video.ibm.com/channel/douglascountyoregon.
Please contact the Sheriff’s Office located in
Room 210 of the Justice Building at the Douglas
County Courthouse, 1036 SE Douglas Ave.
Roseburg, OR 97470 541- 440-4449, if you need
an accommodation.
Winston Woman Arrested
for Animal Abuse/Neglect
Roseburg, OR - A Winston woman has been
arrested on charges of animal abuse and neglect.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control
deputies began an investigation early this week
after receiving a tip of a horse that was reported
to be mistreated at a property in the 600-block of
Longhorn Lane. During the investigation, deputies
learned the horse and property owner had no
connection.
Deputies discovered a 3-year-old mixed breed
horse, named Ace, who was found to be severely
malnourished and in neglectful conditions. Ace’s
owner, 24-year-old Morgan Faith Fowler of
Winston, surrendered the horse to deputies on
Wednesday who took it to a veterinary hospital
for examination and later to Strawberry Mountain
Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Overnight, Ace’s
condition declined to the point that euthanasia was
necessary for humane care.
Deputies contacted Fowler Thursday afternoon
and took her into custody for Animal Neglect I
and Animal Abuse II. She was transported to the
Douglas County Jail where she was booked on
those charges.
“This is a very severe case of neglect and abuse,”
Sheriff John Hanlin said. “The Douglas County
May 2024
Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and
will provide all relevant facts to the Douglas County
District Attorney’s Office.”
Anyone who may have information regarding
this case is encouraged to contact the Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office at 541-440-4471
referencing case #24-1522.
Sheriff Hanlin expressed his thanks to Bailey
Veterinary Clinic, Strawberry Mountain Rescue
and Rehabilitation Center and to the deputies and
volunteers who worked to save Ace and are now
working on holding Fowler accountable. “These
cases are never easy and I cannot thank those who
have been involved enough,” the Sheriff remarked.
Skier Rescued by DCS&R
Diamond Lake, OR - On Sunday, March 31,
2024, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Douglas County
9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a 57-year-
old woman who fell and injured her ankle while
cross country skiing near Mt. Thielsen with her
companion. The victim was unable to bear weight
on the injured leg and requested assistance.
Deputies activated the Douglas County Search &
Rescue team who responded to the area along with
volunteers from Diamond Lake Resort. Searchers
used snowshoes to hike the four miles into the base
of a tree line where they located the victim, Trina
Reiter of Eugene and her companion just before
7:45 p.m.
Searchers stabilized Reiter’s injury,
placed her in a litter and transported her back to
the trailhead. They arrived at the trailhead shortly
before 1:30 a.m., to a waiting ambulance. Reiter
was evaluated by EMS at the scene and went to the
hospital by private vehicle.
“This mission shows the dedication of our search
and rescue deputies and volunteers who spent their
Easter Sunday assisting someone in our community
who was in need of their services,” Lt. Brad O’Dell
said. “This mission was very successful and Trina
was extremely thankful for the care and compassion
shown to her by Douglas County SAR and
Diamond Lake Resort volunteers.”
Douglas County SAR is a division of the Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office with approximately 90
active volunteers and two full-time Search and
Rescue Deputies.
Suspect Arrested after
Assaulting Roommate
and Deputies
Eugene, OR - On April 25th, 2024, Lane
County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the
report of an assault that had just occurred at
an adult foster care facility in the 90700blk
of Prairie Rd. in Eugene. Deputies learned
that a resident, 46-year-old Levi Nelson,
was being violent with other residents and
had intentionally struck another resident in
the face.
Upon arrival, deputies attempted to
speak with Nelson at which time he tried
to grab one of the deputy’s tasers from
her duty belt. The deputy took hold of
his arm at which time he pulled away and
then began striking her in the head/neck
area with a closed fist. Nelson grabbed
hold of another deputy’s holstered firearm
as they struggled to get him under control.
Deputies were able to eventually overpower
Nelson and get him into custody without
any serious injuries being sustained by any
of the involved parties.
Nelson was transported and lodged at
the Lane County Jail on charges including
Physical Harassment and two counts of
Assault on a Public Safety Officer. LCSO
Case #24-2123
Murder Suspect Arrested
in California
Mendicino, CA - Early in the morning
of April 25th, the Lane County Sheriff’s
Page 3
Office was advised by the Mendocino
County Sheriff’s Office in California that
they arrested 49-year-old John Jay Kelley
of Eugene on a warrant for Murder in the
Second Degree. He was arrested without
incident and the involved vehicle a silver
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV bearing
Oregon license plate #532PMQ, was
recovered. Kelley is being held pending
extradition to Oregon.
LCSO would like to thank the Oregon
State Police, Mendocino County Sheriff’s
Office, and many other partners who
assisted on this case.
On April 24th 2024, the Lane County
Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a
deceased adult female at a residence in the
28000 block of Hwy. 36 south of Junction
City. Upon arrival, investigators observed
the deceased had suspicious injuries that
may have contributed to her death.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office was
looking for Kelley, a person of interest at
this time. Kelley was considered armed
and dangerous and a warrant was issued.
UPDATE - Suspect arrested for murder in
California. LCSO Case #24-2110.
Man Arrested After
Dispute for Assault/Death
Eugene, OR - On April 24th at about 3
p.m., deputies responded to reports of a
dispute with shots fired in the 1000 block
of Cinnamon Avenue, Eugene. Eugene
Police officers in the area responded with
Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies. A female
was located at that scene with a gunshot
wound. Investigators were quickly able
to determine the identity of the suspect
and located his vehicle in the 1000 block
of Abbie Lane. Eugene Police SWAT
responded and assisted in apprehending the
suspect.
The female victim in this case passed
away from her injuries. Her identity is
being withheld at this time. Detectives
identified the suspect as Izyk Paul Bartlett,
20, of Eugene. He was lodged in the Lane
County Jail this evening on charges of
Manslaughter in the First Degree, Assault in
the Second Degree, and Felon in Possession
of a Firearm. The investigation is ongoing.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office
would like to thank the Eugene Police
Department, Coburg Police Department,
Junction City Police Department, and
Oregon State Police for their assistance on
this case. LCSO Case #24-2113.
Motorcyclist Fatality
Douglas County, OR - On Saturday, April 6,
2024, at approximately 5:26 p.m., Oregon State
Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on
Hwy. 38 near milepost 30.5 in Douglas County.
The preliminary investigation indicated that
a Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling
eastbound when the operator lost control while
negotiating a curve. The motorcycle struck the
guardrail before coming to an uncontrolled
rest in the westbound lane of travel. Multiple
motorists stopped and rendered first aid prior to
the arrival of emergency services.
The motorcycle operator, Christopher Rein
Schuerger (40) of Springfield, was pronounced
deceased at the scene despite life-saving
measures by a responding trooper and good
Samaritans. Speed and wet roadway conditions
contributed to the crash.
OSP was assisted by the Douglas County
Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Medical
Examiner’s Office, North Douglas Ambulance,
Elkton Fire Department, and the Oregon
Department of Transportation.
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