Sheriff reveals more details about death investigation SW of Madras

(Update: Sheriff offers some information, says he must withhold more)

Call of 'something suspicious' brought deputies to site of old potato cellar

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Jefferson County Sheriff Jim Adkins revealed a few new details Monday about a death investigation that began late last week but said they must withhold more information about the active investigation so as not to tell witnesses or possible suspects what they know.

Around 3 p.m. last Thursday, deputies were called to a property at the corner of state Highway 361 and Bear Drive on a report of someone seeing "something suspicious" there, the sheriff said.

Adkins declined to give details, but he did say the sheriff's office is investigating one person's death. He said the property has nothing on it but an apparent old potato cellar, half-buried underground.

Adkins also said no one is in custody, but investigators have been interviewing suspects. The sheriff said the public is not in danger, and he hopes to release more information later some time this week.

The investigation brought several law enforcement agencies to the scene, between Madras and Metolius, to process evidence through Friday.

"I know the public is really wanting more information," he said, "but at this time my investigators and the Major Incident Team are working really hard to find out really what went on here at this address behind me."

Neighbor Delmar Webb said Friday he'd seen "a lot of cops" over the past two days, as well as what appeared to be a morgue truck.

"So I really don't know what's going on," Webb said.

Neighbors told NewsChannel 21 said they'd seen law enforcement remove several large bags.

Bear Drive was closed at Highway 361 for processing of the scene until Friday evening.