Sheriff’s Office Searching for Missing Man

A search is under way for a Portland man last seen walking toward Pendleton on Tuesday after running out of gas.

According to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Jeffrey Ryan Kelsay, 30, was last seen around 3:30 p.m. on Interstate 4 eastbound near milepost 235. He apparently had been traveling to Baker City. He had spoken to his father around 4:30 p.m. and told him he had run out of gas ans was walking along I-84 back toward Pendleton.

He wasa reported missing around 10:28 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers responded to the last known location and began searching for Kelsay. Search efforts were suspended at about 2:45 a.m. this morning and resumed at 5:40 a.m. At this time the search continues, and includes searching the area with a drone. The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office has asked for mutual aid from Union County to assist in the search operations.

The Sheriff’s Office has also asked for area law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for Kelsay.

“It is unknown if Mr. Kelsay made it into either Pendleton or LaGrande at this point, so we are asking law enforcement to
be on the lookout,” said Umatilla County Sheriff Terry Rowan.

The Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue will continue to search the area. Anyone with information is asked to call the
Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 541-966-3651.