January 23, 2025 4:00 a.m.

A Winston man, missing since November, was found deceased near the bank of the South Umpqua River at the Wildlife Safari RV Park on Saturday.

Marty Case, Chief of Police for the Cow Creek Tribal Police Department said that 61-year-old Gary Sweetin had been reported missing on November 24th. Case said a family member had last spoke to the man, who lived at the RV park, on November 10th. At that time, the family member reported that Sweetin had apparently been drinking and sounded intoxicated. Later when the caller wasn’t contacted by Sweetin on her birthday, she became concerned because this was out of character for him. The RV park is located on Tribal land.

The family member went to Sweetin’s residence and did not receive a response when she knocked on the door. She confirmed that he was not present. Other family members and the on-site manager confirmed they had not seen or spoken to Sweetin for some time. Case said a CCPD officer responded to the park and was not able to locate Sweetin. The officer checked the man’s trailer and surrounding area noting nothing of criminal concern.

On December 8th, CCPD requested assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol and Search and Rescue cadaver dogs specifically trained to locate human remains. The river and riverbanks near the RV park were checked. Due to extremely high water, weather conditions and dense vegetation along the riverbanks and ditches, Sweetin was not located. Case said arrangements were made to conduct a more extensive ground search at a later time.

On December 19th, CCPD requested assistance from the Winston Police Department who had an officer fly his department issued drone over the river and immediate vicinity of the Safari RV Park. Again, Sweetin was not located.

Case said last Saturday, members of the DCSO SAR team conducted a secondary search of the Safari RV Park and surrounding areas. At that time, Gary Sweetin’s remains were located near the riverbank, among dense vegetation. Family members were notified.

Case told News Radio 93- FM and 1240 KQEN that the cause of death could be an accident or natural. Case said there were no indications of criminal activity.

Case said the CCPD would like to thank the DCSO Marine Patrol. SAR, Winston Police Department, staff at Wildlife Safari and Sweetin’s family for their assistance.