Body Found On River Island Believed That Of Missing Man

A body recovered from an island in the McKenzie River Saturday apparently is that of 52-year-old Wayne Gill of Madras, missing since the van he was in plunged into the river the night of his granddaughter’s birth. The remains were found Friday evening by fishermen and recovered Saturday.

“A wallet and other items found with the body lead us to believe that it is Wayne Gill,” said John Miller, Lane County’s search and rescue coordinator. He said positive identification will rely on dental charts. Gill, 52, of Madras, was among four killed in the Dec. 14 accident.

The bodies of his wife Sue, 49, Zane Heuston, 66 and his wife, Velma, 59, were recovered in December.

The four Madras residents were en route to Eugene to be present for the birth of their granddaughter.