The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says a Portland man was found dead Saturday on a dirt trail north of Highway 20 about 28 miles east of Bend. According to their statement, 36-year-old John Eric Sims was believed to have been riding a mountain bike prior to his death.
Here’s more from DCSO:
“On 6/14/20 at 12:32 p.m., deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a deceased male, who had been located by ATV riders. This location was approximately one mile north of Hwy 20 near milepost 28. Deputies arrived on scene and began conducting a death investigation. Detectives and a Deputy Medical Examiner from the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office arrived on scene to assist in the investigation. The male was later identified as John Eric Sims, age 36, of Portland, Oregon.
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AdvertisementThe investigation determined Sims had come to visit Central Oregon and his destination was the Pine Mountain Observatory. Sims drove to an area above the Pine Mountain U.S. Forest Service Campground and parked his 2008 Subaru Forester. It is believed Sims left his vehicle riding his mountain bike and at some point became separated from his bike. Sims appeared to have walked for several miles until he collapsed at the location where he was located by the ATV riders. Based upon the condition of Sims’ body, it appeared he died due to exposure to the elements. It was also determined his body had been at the location for several days. There was no evidence of foul play. Sims’ next of kin has been notified.”
Did any readers know Mr. Sims?
His mountain bike has not been found. If you know anything about this incident, please contact DCSO at 541-693-6911.
UPDATE, 6/17 at 5:05 pm: His bike has been found. Here’s the update sent to me by his sister Ashley Sims:
After the initial press release on this incident, a citizen contacted the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and reported they had located a red mountain bike that matched the description of Sims’ bike. Detectives responded to an area to the east of the Millican OHV play area, where the bike was located near Trail #20. Family later confirmed the bike belonged to Sims. The bike was located less than one mile west of where Sims’ body was recovered. The bike had sustained some damage, which may have been the result of a bicycle crash.
Today, 21 members of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue unit and two deputies responded to the scene where Sims’ bike was located and conducted an additional search for evidence. The search consisted of grid searching the area between the location of the bike and where Sims’ body was recovered. No additional evidence was located during the search.
— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org
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