PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- The body of a 72-year-old man from North Bend, who went missing after he left his home to photograph the king tides on December 15, was found early Sunday morning in the Haynes Inlet in Coos County.
Joseph Neill's body was found during an outgoing tide in the inlet, east of the Hwy 101 bridge and near the intersection of North Bay Road, the Coos County Sheriff's Office said in a release. Someone from Clausen Oysters farm called authorities about the body and provided a boat to help deputies get to Mr. Neill's body.
The medical examiner's office came to the scene and identified him and notified his family.
Mr. Neill is believed to have left his home on the morning of December 15 and was reported missing at 8 p.m. the same day. Authorities found Neill’s car abandoned on the Transpacific Parkway near Jordan Point the next morning, sparking a search and rescue mission.
A Coos County Sheriff’s Office K9 search-and-rescue team was brought into the area to track his possible whereabouts. The U.S. Coast Guard and a North Bend Fire Department boat were also called to the scene to search for Neill, but the search was ultimately called off.
No further information is available at this time.
The Coos County Sheriff's Office extended their condolences to the Neill family.
