MULTNOMAH FALLS, Ore. – The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a missing hiker whose body was found at the base of Wiesendanger Falls along the Larch Mountain Trail near Multnomah Falls. 

The investigation began at 8:38 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, when the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) received a report of a missing 49-year-old hiker. A short time later, BOEC call takers received a separate call from a person who reported finding an unresponsive person at the base of Wiesendanger Falls. 

Members of the MCSO's Green Hornets rescue team responded to the scene, located the body, and confirmed the person had died.  

The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office also responded to the scene and will work with investigators to confirm the cause of death. 

The hiker’s identity has been confirmed by the medical examiner’s office, but next-of-kin notifications are continuing with the family.   

To assist with the technical logistics of the scene, the MCSO Search and Rescue Program (MCSOSAR) also responded. The Sheriff's Office partners exclusively with MCSOSAR, a non-profit, volunteer-based program comprised of a majority of youth members. The program's objective is to serve the community by searching for and rescuing lost or injured persons in wilderness or urban areas, assisting with evacuations during emergencies, and helping law enforcement with evidence searches. 

A MCSO Public Information Officer (PIO) responded to the scene to brief members of the media. 

Several photos from the scene are being released to the public. Media may use these photos with credit to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.  

The MCSO Green Hornets are a specialized team of MCSO deputies trained for hasty wilderness-related rescues of lost or injured hikers.