11/18/2025
NEWS RELEASE UPDATE (November 16, 2025): Sheriff’s Office recovers likely remains of Devon Dobek
Shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a body had been spotted in the Mount Hood National Forest, in a difficult-to-reach location near the Fish Creek Trailhead. Community members, family, and friends of missing hunter Devon Dobek were searching the area when they saw what appeared to be a body at the base of a cliff and notified the Sheriff’s Office.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue coordinators and volunteers responded to the location and used a specially trained rope team in an attempt to reach and recover the body. The location required a river crossing and traversing several hundred feet of nearly vertical cliff face. With the loss of daylight, crews had to hold until morning to try again.
On Sunday, November 16, 2025, Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams began a second attempt to reach the area by rappelling from the top of the ridge. Teams deployed from two different angles: one from the Fish Creek Campground and the other from a location off NF-45 Road.
Crews encountered several downed trees along the evacuation route, so a deputy, three officers from the U.S. Forest Service, and several volunteers worked for ten hours clearing the roadway to get vehicles into a washed-out area of road.
At about 1:00 p.m., rope teams and a deputy reached who they believe is missing hunter Devon Dobek. Official identification will come from the Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office. At approximately 3:35 p.m., teams carried the remains over rough terrain that had not been cleared until he was transferred to a wheeled litter for the remainder of the evacuation. It took several hours to reach the roadway.
We would like to thank our Clackamas County Search and Rescue volunteers, Portland Mountain Rescue, Hood River Crag Rats, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, Mountain Wave Emergency Communications, and the U.S. Forest Service for their assistance in today’s mission.
Our thoughts continue to be with Devon’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
[END UPDATE]
----
(Earlier post:)
COMMUNITY UPDATE: The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team is currently working on an active recovery mission in the area where Devon Dobek is believed to have been hunting. Crews are operating in very difficult, hard-to-reach terrain, and the mission could take several hours. Additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Previous news releases: https://www.clackcosheriff.us/newsBlog/6906419923349b47bd0276b4
