Search continues a month after man reported missing on Umatilla Indian Reservation

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – More than a month after a 71-year-old man went missing, the Umatilla Tribal Police Department is continuing to seek the public’s help in finding him.

Wesley Dixon Jones, a resident of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), was last seen around 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 5, spotted on camera in a gray 2003 Ford Escape along east Short Mile Road, according to police.

Investigators said the same video shows the vehicle returning west on the same road, with Jones was no longer visible in it. However, officials did not disclose the driver’s identity due to the ongoing investigation.

Since Oct. 6, police have conducted multiple searches with the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office in which search and rescue teams used canines and three aerial drones. Teams have also made two searches on foot.

UTPD Detective William Morris added that from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, the MMIW Search and Hope Alliance led a search in the area Jones was last seen. This covered an area called the Maze, which is east of Sampson Lane and Short Mile Road, as well as upriver around the Cayuse community.

“Wesley Jones has now been missing for over a month, but we have continued our search, and the investigation is ongoing,” Morris said. “There was a search over the weekend led by the MMIW Search & Hope Alliance, and throughout the weekend they were searching with a cadaver dog on foot and ATVs. They were also using an AI sonar device called AquaEye to search places along the (Umatilla) river.”

Although Morris added no future searches have been scheduled, he noted the search area could be expanded once more information is gathered.

Officials further stated they believed Jones has not left the UIR.

As search efforts continue, UTPD is asking anyone with cameras from Short Mile Road east to Cayuse Road, including River Road, or from Cayuse Road east to Bingham Road on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Jones is described as a Native American man at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds, with long black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black and red Tiger Scott jacket, black shirt, black sweatpants and boots.

Anyone with information about Jones or his whereabouts is encouraged to contact UTPD.