January 28, 2021 3:00 p.m.

A missing woman has been found deceased east of Reedsport.

Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said on Friday January 22nd at approximately 3:30 p.m. a deputy was notified of a vehicle off of the side of the road near milepost 36 on Lower Smith River Road. The caller reported finding a dog near the vehicle and stated that he had taken the dog with him. The vehicle did not appear to have been involved in a traffic crash and the vehicle’s doors were locked. O’Dell said the deputy conducted a DMV check on the vehicle and learned it was registered to a female in Winchester Bay. The deputy drove to the registered owner’s residence and attempted to make contact, but did not receive a response.

On Sunday at 4:25 p.m. DCSO received a report of a missing person identified as 70-year old Margaret Garrison of Reedsport. Deputies learned that the woman left Lakeside on Thursday January 21st at approximately 3:30 p.m. She last spoke to an acquaintance by telephone about one hour later.

O’Dell said the caller provided a description of the woman’s vehicle and the license plate number at which point the investigating deputy recognized it as the one mentioned from Friday.

O’Dell said deputies responded to the location on Smith River Road, where the vehicle was still located. Deputies searched the immediate area and were not able to locate anyone. It was later discovered the vehicle had been purchased by Garrison, but had not yet been registered in her name.

Deputies checked several hospitals to see if Garrison had been admitted, which she had not.

O’Dell said Douglas County Search and Rescue was notified and a search plan was developed.

On Monday, resources with Search and Rescue looked for Garrison, eventually locating items belonging to her.

On Tuesday, search crews and marine deputies continued to search for the woman. Two men in a drift boat later reported that they had located a deceased body in the middle of the river approximately one mile downstream from where Garrison’s vehicle was located. The body was identified to be that of Garrison and it was recovered from the river.

Garrison’s death is under investigation by the Medical Examiner’s Office, although it is not considered suspicious at this time.