Accident Leads To Missing Man

Sun., May 28, 1995

Associated Press

A van that plummeted down a cliff when it sped around a curve has led authorities to answers in the mysterious disappearance of a La Grande man seven years ago.

James Needham left La Grande May 16, 1988, on a week-long photography expedition across Oregon. The 30-year-old man had just bought a new camera and planned on driving his 1987 Trans Am through Bend, Diamond Lake, Winston and Coos Bay.

Along the way, he disappeared.

When he failed to show up at a cousin’s house in Burns as planned on May 23, 1988, his family reported him as missing.

Almost seven years to the date later, they have an answer.

Oregon State Police officers on Thursday were investigating the wreckage of a van that had driven off Fish Creek Road near Highway 138 the night before, when they noticed another wreckage site 50 feet away.

They found a steel gray Trans Am, and nearby, tattered clothing and human remains.

Based on examination of dental records, police are 99 percent sure they are the remains of Needham, the missing man’s father, Ray Needham, said Saturday.

Sgt. Glenn Gunter said the driver of the van in Wednesday’s accident had sped too fast around the curve 61 miles east of Roseburg. Police believe Needham did the same thing seven years before.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.