Rodney Lynn Grissom was 14 when he disappeared from Albany, Oregon. He was last seen on May 24, 1977, and is believed to have left with a 15-year-old friend, Karen Lee; both planned to hitchhike to California. Karen called a friend from a payphone in Lebanon, Oregon, saying their ride was there — that was the last known communication from either teen.

Weeks after they vanished, personal effects belonging to both Rodney and Karen were found in a remote, rugged area off a logging road near Soda Fork in eastern Linn County. Items were wrapped in a blanket and tied with rope, prompting investigators to suspect foul play rather than a routine runaway. In November 1981 additional belongings were located; Rodney’s clothing was found about a quarter mile from where Karen’s items were recovered, but his framed backpack labeled R. Grissom was missing and later traced to a pawn shop in Bend and then a yard sale.

The case is classified as endangered missing. Inquiries have considered a possible link to John Arthur Ackroyd because of his activity along Highway 20 at that time. DNA was collected from family members after Rodney was reported to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in 2012. Does anyone have memories of Rodney, Karen, or sightings along Highway 20 in late May 1977?