Siletz

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks talks to reporters Thursday during a news conference on the search and death of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen. With him were Jess Palma, left, Sgt. Nick Vaille and Sgt. Karl Vertner.

Sheriff calls death of 2-year-old Siletz boy “heartbreaking” but body’s recovery can begin bringing closure to family

Shayla Escudero

Two days after his body was found in the Siletz River, officials confirmed Thursday that 2-year-old Dane Paulsen died of drowning and had no other injuries.

An aerial photo shows the Paulsen home and property along the Siletz River bordered by Highway 229 and Ojalla Bridge four miles north of the town of Siletz.

Disasters & Accidents

Diver finds body of missing boy three miles downstream from family’s home

The search for a 2½-year-old boy who had been missing 11 days ended Tuesday when a diver found and recovered his body from the Siletz River three miles downstream from his family’s riverside home.

People with backpacks scattered about in a dense, mossy forest.

Disasters & Accidents

Sheriff and volunteers comb the river and forests near Siletz in 10th day of search for 2-year-old Dane Paulsen

Shayla Escudero

A handful of volunteers combed through forests and Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies swept miles of the Siletz River on Monday as the search for 2½-year-old Dane Paulsen entered its 10th day.