© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Missing Eugene Man Found Dead With Vehicle, Investigation Into Death Underway

Provided by Lane County Sheriff's Office

Lane County authorities say a missing Eugene man has been found dead, after his car apparently went off the road. 

80-year-old James Otterlee was last seen Wednesday morning (Jan. 27) on his way to Fred Meyer on West 11th.  Family reported him missing that evening, and there were concerns that Otterlee didn’t have his daily medication.

On Sunday, someone called the Lane County Sheriff’s Office when they spotted Otterlee’s vehicle. Officials say it hit a tree off Pine Grove Road.  The Lane County Medical Examiner’s Office is helping investigate the cause of death.

Copyright 2021, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.