Body of Man Who Died of Gunshot Wound Discovered in Campground

Sheriff's Office personnel will return to the scene Wednesday to continue their investigation.

(RHODODENDRON, Ore.) - Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Homicide and Violent Crimes investigators are on the scene of a death investigation in Rhododendron, Oregon.

The body of an adult male subject was discovered late Monday afternoon in an undeveloped campground, situated on the south side of Highway 26, in Rhododendron, according to Detective Jim Strovink, Spokesman for the Clackamas Sheriff's Office.

He says the deceased was transported from the scene Monday evening by a Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner and transported to the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, in Clackamas.

"The deceased has since been forensically examined during an autopsy performed by the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, Tuesday morning," Strovink said.

Dr. Larry Lewman, of the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office, states simply, "The deceased has died as a result of a gunshot wound."

Strovink says Homicide and Violent Crimes unit investigators remain on scene in Rhododendron, and are continuing with their efforts to process this "complex" scene.

"Lead investigators report evidence gleaned from the site has also been delivered to the Oregon State Crime Laboratory for analysis," he said. Investigators conducting this ongoing death investigation report the deceased has been positively identified; however, the required family notifications have not been completed. Consequently, the name of this deceased male adult will not be released at this point in time.

"It is expected Clackamas County Sheriff's Office investigators will remain on scene in Rhododendron, for the remainder of day. These investigators will continue processing and collecting items of evidentiary value relevant to this death investigation."

Strovink says residents in the area can also anticipate witnessing Sheriff's Office personnel returning to this protected scene on Wednesday, to continue with their investigative efforts.

"The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has a reputation for conducting thorough and complete death investigations. These methodical investigative efforts are time consuming, yet essential to obtaining a successful investigative conclusion."