Officials: Body near Chemult was missing Bend man
A body found by a hunter Sunday northeast of Chemult was that of a 42-year-old Bend man who disappeared nearly three weeks ago, Klamath County authorities said after an autopsy conducted Tuesday in Medford.
The Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated to investigate the report of a body found northeast of Chemult by a hunter, said District Attorney Rob Patridge.
Deputy State Medical Examiner Dr. James Olson completed an autopsy Tuesday and confirmed the remains were those of Jonathan Sullivan-Shipley, ruling that the death was a suicide.
Patridge said the investigation is continuing, but all evidence points to the suicide finding and not foul play.
In a post on Sullivan-Shipley’s Facebook page, the family expressed their “deep gratitude for your support and prayers,” and said funeral arrangements will be announced once they have been made.
It is NewsChannel 21’s policy not to report on suicides, except in certain unusual circumstances. In this case, Bend police requests to the public for information regarding Sullivan-Shipley’s whereabouts led to our initial news reports.
Sullivan-Shipley’s family reported him missing on Sept. 6, after he failed to show up for work the previous day.
Klamath County sheriff’s detectives worked with Bend police on the case, and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab also was called in assist.
Daidra Sullivan told NewsChannel 21 last Monday she feared her husband might be injured or that his car broke down somewhere and he was unable to call for help.
“He’s a wonderful father, and he’s a wonderful husband,” Sullivan said. “And he’s my life, and my son’s life. We just want to get him home, so he can have the life he deserves to live.”
Bend police turned to the public on Sept., 13 for any tips to help find the man who failed to show up for work eight days earlier –- and had not contacted worried family or friends since.
“We’re still hopeful that he is in the general area, and that he will contact his family or contact law enforcement, or somehow we’ll have contact with him,” Bend police Lt. Chris Carney said at the time.
Sullivan-Shipley had last been seen when he left for work from his home on Marsh Orchid Court around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, said police Lt. Brian Kindel.
Sullivan-Shipley never showed up for work at High Desert Assisted Living on NE 27 th Street, Kindel said, and he had no contact with family or friends since that time.
Sullivan-Shipley did not take any camping gear or other property with him, the lieutenant said, noting there had been no activity on his bank account either.
