The body of a 72-year-old North Bend man who had been missing since mid-December was found Sunday morning, according to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.
Joseph C. Neill had been missing since Dec. 15 when he went to take pictures of Oregon’s “king tides at the beach and never returned home,” police reported.
Police said his personal items had been located on the railroad bridge which spans the Coos Bay at Jordan Point and a major search for him took place, which included the U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams.
On Sunday, Clausen Oysters farm off North Bay Road reported a possible deceased person found in Haynes Inlet during the outgoing tide. Neill’s body was recovered and identified in the southern beach area of Haynes Inlet, east of the bridge over U.S. Highway 101.
“The staff at Coos County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Mr. Neill during this difficult time,” a news release said.
Neill had gone to Horsfall Beach to take “photographs of the king tide” on Dec. 15, but was reported missing after he did not return, according to a statement his children previously shared on Facebook.
The post suggested that he likely walked inland to low points for “moon reflections along the shoreline,” the post said. Neill opened Electric Hospital, a vacuum and sewing machine repair shop, more than 40 years ago, according to a Facebook post by his three children and multiple reports. He was also active in the local chamber of commerce.
There is no confirmation that the King Tides are the reason for Neill’s disappearance, but coastal sheriff’s offices are reminding people to be safe during king tides, when ocean swells are abnormally large.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Man’s body found after going to photograph Oregon Coast king tides