Autopsy result: Shauna Fowler died of hypothermia

An autopsy on a Powell Butte woman whose remains were found by a rancher in his field nearly three weeks after she disappeared determined Shauna Fowler died accidentally of hypothermia, with no signs of foul play, Crook County authorities said Thursday, adding that she headed in the opposite direction searchers had thought.

“We received a call from a rancher who is out in the Powell Butte area and said that he found a deceased person in his field,” said Crook County Undersheriff John Gautney.

On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office assumed it was Fowler.

“We went off the information we had during the investigation — things she was wearing when she left, scars, tattoos, things like that,” Gautney said.

An autopsy by the state medical examiner confirmed Fowler’s identity on Thursday.

She was found on a ranch off of Powell Butte Highway near Southwest Riggs Road, outside the area where authorities had searched for Fowler.

Now, the small community of Powell Butte is in shock.

“I feel really bad for her family. It’s a small town, and it’s scary,” said Powell Butte resident Marissa Brineger.

“Things like that don’t happen in Central Oregon, usually,” said Redmond resident Jorden Meeks.

“It’s hitting pretty close to home,” said Powell Butte resident David Franke. “I’m really hurting for the mom and dad of this girl.”

Here is the full statement issued late Thursday by Undersheriff John Gautney:

“On April 16, 2015, an autopsy was performed on the body that had previously been tentatively identified as Shauna Fowler.

“At this time the identity has been confirmed to be that of 27 year Shauna Fowler, who went missing three weeks ago today.

“The State Medical Examiner has ruled the death as accidental, caused by hypothermia, brought on by overexposure to the elements. There was no evidence of any foul play and there is no danger to the public in the area where Shauna went missing.

“The Crook County Sheriff’s Office wants to convey their heartfelt condolences to Shauna’s mother and other family members. We realize this has been the most difficult time for them with the unknown as to Shauna’s whereabouts and circumstances of her disappearance. The family has wished to have privacy during this time, and at the same time has worked closely with the investigators and search teams.

“Here is what we know at this time. Shauna went missing from her residence during the evening hours of March 26, 2015. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted on March 27, 2015 and reported her missing, after family and friends searched the area and were unsuccessful in locating her.

“Over the next two weeks the Crook County Search and Rescue Unit used SAR K9s, horseback searchers, ATV mounted searchers, and ground searchers to search the area directly around the location last seen and the adjacent areas. The Civil Air patrol also did an aerial search, as did the Oregon State Police.

“Deschutes County Search and Rescue assisted on a full day search and the Tri-County Major Incident Team has been involved assisting the Sheriff’s Office by providing investigators to follow-up on leads that came in.

“The clues as to the direction that Shauna went after leaving the residence indicated that she traveled in an easterly direction from the house. The SAR effort was concentrated in that direction and to the south of the point last seen. The neighborhood was canvased by family and friends as well as law enforcement, residents were asked to check their properties and call if anything was discovered.

“After two full weeks of searching the area with minimal clues, it was determined on Friday, April 10, 2015, that based on the conclusion of the search and investigative teams, the local ground effort for search and rescue was terminated until new clues came in. The missing person investigation was still in full effect and was following up on investigative leads in attempt to locate Shauna.

“On Wednesday, a local Powell Butte rancher called to report that he had located a deceased female in his pasture. The location where Shauna was located was west of Powell Butte Highway near SW Riggs Road. This is about 1 mile west of point last seen and was outside the designated search area, as the search was concentrated east and south of the point last seen.

“In conclusion, I want to thank all the volunteers who assisted in this search mission. There were numerous search and rescue volunteers who left their personal lives behind to assist in trying to locate Shauna.

“I want to thank the members of the Major Incident Team who spent many hours away from their own duties to assist us with this investigation. Without them we would have been totally overwhelmed with the influx of leads to follow-up on.

“I want to thank the family and friends who offered information and assisted with contacting the Powell Butte community, and to thank the public for your assistance with calling in tips and understanding when we asked to search your property.

“Again it is with sadness that I have to report this as the outcome of the past three week’s investigation. Our sympathy goes out to all who are suffering because of this loss.

(Prepared by: Undersheriff John Gautney)

The 27-year-old woman vanished March 26 from the rural community, leaving behind all of her belongings and prompting extensive search efforts.

Fowler’s mother said she had left everything behind at the travel trailer where she lived – her purse, cellphone, car and dogs among them.