Update: Subject Located

Sheriff’s Deputies received numerous tips from the public.  As a result, the search started to focus on the area around Tetherow Bridge. SAR Teams began focused ground searches in this area, moving outwards as areas were cleared.

Schissel was located at approximately 7:40 PM on BLM land south of Tetherow Bridge by a concerned neighbor who was in the area.  Upon being located, a nearby SAR team that had been assigned to the search that area, patrol deputies and other SAR members responded to evaluate her. Schissel was evaluated by a SAR EMT and transported home.

The following resources were assigned to this search:

1 – Special Services Deputy

8 – Patrol Deputies including 1 Patrol Canine Team

1 – Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer and Canine

21 – SAR Volunteers including 1 SAR Canine Team

1 – Lifeflight Helicopter and crew

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the countless area residents who provided information and assisted in the search efforts.

Update with Photo:

Sheriff’s Deputies and SAR Volunteers are continuing to search the area.  A Lifeflight helicopter has joined the search.

See attached photo of Schissel from 2013.  She is not wearing glasses today.

Original Release:

Date/Time: 07-31-21 / 3:20 PM

Released by: Sgt. Nathan Garibay

Missing Subject: Janelle Schissel, 81 yrs

Description: 5’4″, 110 pounds, white female, gray hair, brown eyes, wearing a red print shirt, tan capris pants, and tennis shoes

On July 31, 2021 at approximately 3:20 pm, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a missing female in the area of NW 74th and Larch Ave in unincorporated northwest Redmond.  The missing female, Janelle Schissel is affected by memory loss.  It appears she may have been gone from the home since around noon.  Sheriff’s Deputies, a USFS Law Enforcement canine team, a DCSO Canine Team, Search and Rescue volunteers (including trackers and a canine team are currently searching the area or responding).  A Deschutes Alerts alert was broadcast to residents in teh area to be on the lookout for Schissel.

If you see Schissel or a person matching her description, please contact the Sheriff’s Office by non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with five K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.