DEATH INVESTIGATION AT SMITH ROCK STATE PARK

News Release from Deschutes Co. Sheriff’s Office
Posted on FlashAlert: March 14th, 2016 7:56 PM
Released by: Lt. Chad Davis
Occurred: 3/14/16 at 10:38 a.m.
Location: Smith Rock State Park | Terrebonne, Oregon

Deceased Subject: Hoyez, Terry Michael Age: 57
Redmond, Oregon

On 3/14/16 at 10:38 a.m., Deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Smith Rock State Park regarding a report of a missing subject. Family members of Terry Hoyez reported he had been missing for three days and had just located his vehicle in the parking lot of the Smith Rock State Park. Deputies arrived on the scene and began a search of the park in vehicles and on foot. At approximately 1:40 p.m, a Deputy was able to see a body at the bottom of a ravine about 150 feet below the Oregon State Park Ranger’s office.

Due to the location of the body, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR), Mountain Rescue Unit was dispatched to recover Hoyez’s body. 18 SAR volunteers responded with a DCSO Special Services Deputy to assist the Deputies on scene. Hoyez’s body was placed onto a litter and hoisted up from the ledge below.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene with the Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office to conduct a death investigation. Foul play is not suspected at this time and the investigation is continuing. Hoyez’s next of kin has been notified.

Any further information will be released by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division as it becomes available.