Death Investigation: Body Located at Base of Cape Lookout

Once the body has been positively identified, investigators will work with out-of-state authorities to help notify next of kin.

Image of Cape Lookout and the beach where the body was found Courtesy: Google Earth

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - Oregon State Police, with the assistance of Tillamook County Medical Examiner and Tillamook County Sheriff's Office, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a deceased male on a rocky section of beach near the base of a cliff in Cape Lookout State Park.

There is no indication that the death is the result of a crime and positive identification is pending according to OSP Sergeant Todd Hoodenpyl. He says the investigation started at 9:30 p.m. on January 6, 2010 when an OSP trooper found an out-of-state registered vehicle in a parking area of Cape Lookout State Park.

"Upon requesting a wants check on the vehicle the trooper learned it was associated with a missing, possible suicidal person," Hoodenpyl said. The trooper and a Tillamook County deputy checked area trails throughout the night but did not find anyone associated with the vehicle. OSP, TCSO and search and rescue personnel, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel resumed an area search from the air and ground Thursday morning.

Hoodenpyl says around 1:30 p.m. a body was discovered on a rocky section of beach north of Camp Meriwether. The location was at the base of a near 600 foot cliff accessible from the parking lot where the vehicle was found.

The investigation is continuing. Once the body has been positively identified then investigators will work with out-of-state authorities to help notify next of kin. No other information is being released at this time.

Cape Lookout is the site of a historic 1943 B-17 bomber crash that claimed nine lives. The beach below the cape where the body was found, is a popular Oregon surf spot.