Missing McMinnville woman likely lost in ‘vast wilderness’ off Highway 138 East

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Authorities are searching for a McMinnville woman who was reported missing in early August and may have been lost in the wilderness, Myrtle Creek Police Department announced Tuesday.

According to police, 69-year-old Kathleen Wilson was reported to have been on her way to visit a friend in Chiloquin and ended up staying in the Millsite RV Park for a short time.

During the investigation, authorities learned Wilson left Myrtle Creek shortly after 6 a.m. Aug. 5. Her car – a red Chevy Cruz with license plate number 747EDB – was last seen passing through the Dry Creek area on Highway 138 East around 7:30 a.m.

The Myrtle Creek Police Department, with help from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Forest Service Law Enforcement, and several firefighting crews conducted an extensive search in the last week but never found her or the car.

During the search, OSP flew a plane over the area, but wildfire smoke made the search from the air impossible, authorities said.

“At this point in the investigation, it has been determined that more likely than not, Wilson drove out the North Umpqua Highway from Roseburg and became lost somewhere in the vast wilderness off of 138 East,” Myrtle Creek Police Department said in a Facebook post. “We would like to make sure we are clear; this case is not closed, and the investigation is ongoing. This case will not be closed until Wilson is found.”

Authorities urge community members – especially those travelling the forest roads off of North Umpqua Highway – to be on the lookout for Wilson and her car.

Anyone who thinks they have information on the case is asked to contact Myrtle Creek Police Department immediately.

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