Even after the large-scale, volunteer search effort in the Riddle area was downsized yesterday (not “called off” like I initially reported), the search for Mark Bosworth continues.
It’s now been six days since Mark was last seen at a Cycle Oregon campsite in Riddle. The big development yesterday was the offer of a $10,000 reward for information leading to his discovery.
More about the reward and the latest on the search below…
“We have reason to believe my dad is out there somewhere traveling and may be disoriented and confused and it is very possible he went to Portland.”
— Kelly Bosworth
Douglas County officials sent a large contingent of volunteer searchers home yesterday; but the effort to find Mark is as urgent as ever. Cycle Oregon ride director Jerry Norquist told me this morning that the community of Riddle — who have shown amazing dedication throughout this ordeal — haven’t forgotten him. “The community hasn’t given up. They plan to get the search crews together again on Saturday to give it one more shot.”
(Photo: Steve Durrant)
Norquist said the large turnout of volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday allowed officials to search many areas several times. Norquist himself is leaving no stone unturned: “Mark was last seen near the shower trucks [mobile water semi-trucks that follow the Cycle Oregon ride], so I had someone call the truck company and look inside one last time.”
With the roads and lands near Riddle thoroughly searched, some of the attention has shifted to Portland.
Writing on BikePortland yesterday, Mark’s daughter Kelly Bosworth wrote:
“If you are interested in helping us find my dad, please print this poster and put it up around your neighborhood. We have reason to believe my dad is out there somewhere traveling and may be disoriented and confused and it is very possible he went to Portland. Getting his face out there is the best way for us to get him back home. Thank you so much.”
Hoping to encourage someone to come forward with information, Deckers Outdoor Corporation (the company that employs Mark’s wife Julie Bosworth) announced at $10,000 reward yesterday.
In a statement, Deckers CEO Angel Martinez said, “Mark is part of our family… We want to help find him and support Julie in any way we can.”
The $10,000 will go to anyone who can either locate or provide information that leads to Mark’s discovery.
There’s also an intensified effort to distribute the official missing person flyer far beyond Riddle, Portland, and even Oregon. This is because, as it has been reported since the search began, many fear that Mark’s might be suffering from a diminished mental state due to his ongoing battle with cancer. If he was confused or incoherent, he could have done anything and he could be anywhere (especially if reports that he was seen hitchhiking are true).
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is maintaining a blog where the missing person flyer and the latest information on the search is posted. Please bookmark and share FindMarkBosworth.Blogspot.com.
— See my Mark Bosworth story tag for past coverage.