Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 31, 2022, deputies responded to the report of a suspicious wooden box located at a rural cemetery in the 24000 block of Powerline Road near Harrisburg. The caller reported a wooden box about the size of a casket lying on the ground.
Deputies responded and located the box, which appeared to be a hand-built casket, left behind a tree in the cemetery. Investigators spoke with the Board of Directors for the cemetery who stated there were no scheduled burials and could not explain why a casket was left at the location. Upon opening the casket, investigators located a deceased unidentified male. There were no obvious signs of trauma to the body.
The unidentified male is described as a white adult between 30-60 years old, 5’10” tall, weighing 350 pounds, brown and gray hair, wearing size 10.5 shoes and has a healed surgery scar on his lower back.
The investigation is ongoing. Linn County Detectives are working in conjunction with Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the identity and cause of death of the deceased. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detective Division (541) 967-3950.