Found Deceased LA - Robert Owens Jr., 58, visiting from NJ, geocaching, car found, Kisatchie Natl Forest, Rapides Parish, 17 Jul 2023

[GuyfromCanada]

Deputies assigned to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office Special Operations Group are conducting a missing person search off of Messina Road for a missing “geocacher” from New Jersey.

According to initial reports, with the asssistance of another geocacher, deputies located a vehicle belonging to ROBERT OWENS, JR of Millville, NJ. A computer check of the vehicle indicated Owens was reported missing on July 17th, 2023.

Mr. Owens is a 58 year old white male, 5’9” tall, 170 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.

Also involved in the search is Louisiana Department Of-Wildlife And Fisheries U.S. Forest Service, Oak Hill Fire Department and several civilian volunteers.

Sheriff’s Detectives are also on the scene conducting their investigation into the missing person report.
If anyone has any information on Robert Owens, Jr, they are asked to contact RPSO at 318-473-6700, Detective Tamiko Paulk at 319-473-6727 or local law enforcement.

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE—-UPDATE—-UPDATE The search for missing geocacher resumed this morning at 6 AM with deputies and Detectives from RPSO and Firemen form the Oak Hill and Alexandria Fire Departments. Personnel...

www.facebook.com

Most of the road winds through the Kisatchie National Forest, and that portion is not paved. The car was found two miles past the paved portion of the road, according to Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline.

Human remains found in woods outside Alexandria believed to be missing New Jersey man

Badly decomposed human remains have been found in woods off Messina Road are thought to be a missing New Jersey man.

www.thetowntalk.com

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Wow, that's quite a trip, Millville NJ to Rapides Parish LA is over 1300+ miles. When was Robert supposed to return home?

Google Maps

 

[Unsolved]

Most locals comments I have read all say "he was out there in this heat?" I also read a mention that someone had died in that same area about this time last year due to the heat, and had to search for info on that.

I found this article, and am hoping Robert wasn't overcome by the conditions in the same way:

"The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more details about the Shreveport Cultural Resource Analyst who died from a possible heat stroke on her first day on the job in the Kisatchie National Forest Monday.

Kaylen Gehrke, 24, of Longview, Texas, was working on an archaeological survey with two co-workers when she became ill around 2:14 p.m. Monday. First responders found the group on Forest Service Road #321 Bayou Camp Road off of the Longleaf Vista in Kisatchie National Forest. Her co-workers performed CPR on her until help arrived.

EMS attempted to revive her, but Gehrke died at the scene. Natchitoches Parish Coroner Asst. Coroner Steven Clanton says there were no apparent signs of foul play, and he believes her death may be heat-related. Her body will be transported to Shreveport for an autopsy."

NPSO: Archeologist dies in Kisatchie National Forest

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is learning more about the Shreveport Cultural Resource Analysts who died from a possible heat stroke.

www.ktalnews.com

(Follow up - sadly her autopsy did confirm she died of heatstroke

‘I’ll never forget that pain’: Family of 24-year-old who died of heatstroke raises awareness about dangers of heat

LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – On July 11, Kaylen Eileen Gehrke was conducting archaeological surveys in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. It was her first day on the job and the area was…

www.ketk.com

I'm sure praying that Robert will turn up A OK.

 

[eimehc]

Deputies assigned to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office Special Operations Group are conducting a missing person search off of Messina Road for a missing “geocacher” from New Jersey.

According to initial reports, with the asssistance of another geocacher, deputies located a vehicle belonging to ROBERT OWENS, JR of Millville, NJ. A computer check of the vehicle indicated Owens was reported missing on July 17th, 2023.

Mr. Owens is a 58 year old white male, 5’9” tall, 170 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.

Also involved in the search is Louisiana Department Of-Wildlife And Fisheries U.S. Forest Service, Oak Hill Fire Department and several civilian volunteers.

Sheriff’s Detectives are also on the scene conducting their investigation into the missing person report.
If anyone has any information on Robert Owens, Jr, they are asked to contact RPSO at 318-473-6700, Detective Tamiko Paulk at 319-473-6727 or local law enforcement.

Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office

UPDATE—-UPDATE—-UPDATE The search for missing geocacher resumed this morning at 6 AM with deputies and Detectives from RPSO and Firemen form the Oak Hill and Alexandria Fire Departments. Personnel...

www.facebook.com

Most of the road winds through the Kisatchie National Forest, and that portion is not paved. The car was found two miles past the paved portion of the road, according to Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline.

Human remains found in woods outside Alexandria believed to be missing New Jersey man

Badly decomposed human remains have been found in woods off Messina Road are thought to be a missing New Jersey man.

www.thetowntalk.com

New comment from the sheriffs office on the same post:
“Sheriff’s Detectives are attempting to identify these hikers at the head of the Azalea Trail to see if they may have seen Mr. Owens. If you know who they are, please have them call RPSO at 318-473-6700.”

 

[Elana619]

Did anyone look to see if he logged any geocaches out there near the area his car was found?

 

[Elana619]

Did anyone look to see if he logged any geocaches out there near the area his car was found?

I just checked the geocaches in that area and it looks like other cachers are writing in the logs that he is missing, his handle, what geocaches he had already logged and are looking for him too.

 

[Curiousobserver]

So far the only log he is confirmed to have signed is here: His username is BlazeOn

His car was not far away from this Cache which is located at N 31° 14.325 W 092° 37.327

He does not appear to have signed the log for the Caches he would have passed on the way to this one from where his car was found or further down the trail.

 

[Inthedetails]

Geocachers, are there other caches around the one he found? Could he have been walking to a second one?

My hunch is the heat got to him, but you'd think he would've been found if that is the case.

jmo

 

[Curiousobserver]

Geocachers, are there other caches around the one he found? Could he have been walking to a second one?

My hunch is the heat got to him, but you'd think he would've been found if that is the case.

jmo

There are four in the immediate vicinity (within a mile along the trail). According to the logs LE has been given those coordinates and Cachers have physically checked all of these.

Heat would be my guess as well. He may not have been on the trail- geocachers are known to bushwack their way to the next cache if they are in a hurry or their GPS is bouncing around under the trees.

He signed the one circled, he parked at the P. The ? mark is a puzzle- LE have been given the solution

 

[Curiousobserver]

If you're a Cacher read the activity page for GC763.

 

[deadfoot13]

If you're a Cacher read the activity page for GC763.

Thank you for sharing this information. I'm curious about the most recent log entry, it's grim. The cache description itself sounds pretty rugged, I am wondering if he was injured leaving the hide?

 

[Curious_in_NC]

The trail cam and the last log entry were both dated July 9. Is it fair to say that his last known location was on July 9, even though he wasn't reported missing until more than a week later when his car was located?

 

[rob525]

Thank you for sharing this information. I'm curious about the most recent log entry, it's grim. The cache description itself sounds pretty rugged, I am wondering if he was injured leaving the hide?

Yes, Grim indeed. Not sure how to take that post.

 

[CHEL]

UPDATE: RPSO says human remains found in search of missing geocacher

According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, human remains were found around 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning (July 19) during the search for the missing geocacher from New Jersey.

The remains were located in a densely-wooded area near a creek about half of a mile from the trailhead on Messina Road. RPSO said that due to the severe decomposition of the remains, positive identification is pending. However, the remains are believed to be that of the missing geocacher, Robert Owens, Jr., based on clothing descriptions and physical characteristics.

The Rapides Parish Coroner recovered the remains and an autopsy is pending.

 

[Inthedetails]

UPDATE: RPSO says human remains found in search of missing geocacher

According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, human remains were found around 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning (July 19) during the search for the missing geocacher from New Jersey.

The remains were located in a densely-wooded area near a creek about half of a mile from the trailhead on Messina Road. RPSO said that due to the severe decomposition of the remains, positive identification is pending. However, the remains are believed to be that of the missing geocacher, Robert Owens, Jr., based on clothing descriptions and physical characteristics.

The Rapides Parish Coroner recovered the remains and an autopsy is pending.

Sorry to read this.

 

[eimehc]

Was not the news I was hoping for. RIP.

 

[Bogbacal2]

Prayers. Was hoping he was ok.

 

[Teche]

Most locals comments I have read all say "he was out there in this heat?" I also read a mention that someone had died in that same area about this time last year due to the heat, and had to search for info on that.

I found this article, and am hoping Robert wasn't overcome by the conditions in the same way:

"The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has released more details about the Shreveport Cultural Resource Analyst who died from a possible heat stroke on her first day on the job in the Kisatchie National Forest Monday.

Kaylen Gehrke, 24, of Longview, Texas, was working on an archaeological survey with two co-workers when she became ill around 2:14 p.m. Monday. First responders found the group on Forest Service Road #321 Bayou Camp Road off of the Longleaf Vista in Kisatchie National Forest. Her co-workers performed CPR on her until help arrived.

EMS attempted to revive her, but Gehrke died at the scene. Natchitoches Parish Coroner Asst. Coroner Steven Clanton says there were no apparent signs of foul play, and he believes her death may be heat-related. Her body will be transported to Shreveport for an autopsy."

NPSO: Archeologist dies in Kisatchie National Forest

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is learning more about the Shreveport Cultural Resource Analysts who died from a possible heat stroke.

www.ktalnews.com

(Follow up - sadly her autopsy did confirm she died of heatstroke

‘I’ll never forget that pain’: Family of 24-year-old who died of heatstroke raises awareness about dangers of heat

LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – On July 11, Kaylen Eileen Gehrke was conducting archaeological surveys in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. It was her first day on the job and the area was…

www.ketk.com

I'm sure praying that Robert will turn up A OK.

I live in Louisiana and we’re having a heatwave 95-102 degrees with 100% humidity. Locals are acclimated and prepare. My husband rides 15-20 miles at noon. Visitors from up north suffer in this environment.
I just saw the sad news.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Remains of missing New Jersey geocacher found near Messina Road

An update on the missing New Jersey geocacher in woods surrounding Alexandria ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) – The search for missing geocacher resumed this morning at 6 AM with deputies and Detectiv…

www.cenlanow.com

Remains of missing New Jersey geocacher found near Messina Road​

 

[imstilla.grandma]

But officials noted that based on clothing description and other physical traits, investigators believe it is Owens’ body.

The Rapides Parish coroner took possession of the remains to perform an autopsy, where a cause of death and positive identification is expected to be determined.

The Millville native disappeared during a geocaching trip, which is an outdoor activity where participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or cellphone and other navigational techniques to hide and locate containers.

Remains found in search for NJ father who went missing on geocaching trip in Louisiana forest

Robert Owens Jr. of Millville, New Jersey, was reported missing on July 17 after he hadn’t been in touch with family since July 9.

nypost.com