Account
Nov 15, 2010
Jan 05, 2024
Robert
Bissell
71
57
65 inches
135 lbs
150 lbs
White / Caucasian
Male
On July 12, 2010, 57-year-old Robert Perry Bissell, a male from Portland, Oregon, embarked on a solo camping and fishing trip in the Roaring River Wilderness Area, situated near Rock Lakes above Estacada. An experienced outdoorsman, Bissell was well-acquainted with the remote and rugged terrain of the Mount Hood National Forest. Before setting off, he responsibly filed a wilderness-use permit with the U.S. Forest Service, indicating his expected return on July 16. He drove his white 1989 Nissan Sentra to the Trailhead 700 near Rock Lakes, parked, and then hiked approximately five miles to establish his campsite off Trail 512 near Middle Rock Lake. Evidence at his campsite suggested he had left for a short excursion, likely a day of fishing, as his sleeping bag and other camping gear were left behind, with only his fishing rod and tackle missing. Concerns for Bissell's welfare arose when he failed to return as planned. His brother, Michael, visited the campsite on July 19 and again on July 24, finding it undisturbed and with no sign of Robert. After the second visit, he reported his brother missing to the authorities. On July 25, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation. For eight days, teams scoured the vast and challenging landscape of the Rock Lakes Basin and the surrounding trail systems, including Serene Lake, Shining Lake, and Shell Rock Lake. The search effort involved as many as 70 people at a time, who dedicated long hours to covering over 100 square miles of difficult terrain. The terrain was so demanding that it even caused some of the search horses to lose their shoes. Despite the extensive and exhaustive search, which included ground crews, canine units, and air support, no trace of Robert Bissell was ever found. Several items were discovered during the search, but none were identified as belonging to him by his brother. Other campers in the area reported having seen and spoken with Bissell at the beginning of his trip, but these encounters provided no clues as to his whereabouts. The official search was eventually suspended due to the lack of leads and the risks posed to the searchers in the rugged wilderness. The prevailing theory is that Bissell may have suffered an injury while hiking or fishing in the remote area. His case remains an active missing person investigation, a poignant reminder of the unforgiving nature of the wilderness and the enduring mystery of his disappearance.
Jul 12, 2010
Portland
Oregon
Multnomah County
97212
No
9344
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Oregon City
Oregon
Clackamas County
97045
Eric Lee
Detective
2223 Kaen Road, Oregon
5037855000
County
Law Enforcement
2010-22782
2010-07-25
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Gray or Partially Gray
Green
Green
05/28/2026
