ESTACADA, Ore. — Gladstone police have asked for help from the public in finding 31-year-old Kyle Kirchem.
According to police, Kirchem drove away from his home in an apparent mental health crisis on Nov. 20, leaving behind his cell phone. His family reported him missing two days later.
His vehicle was found Nov. 23 in Estacada near Highway 224 and Riverside Camp Ground. Police said that his airbags were not deployed and there were no signs that he'd been injured. Investigators think he walked back toward Hwy 224, but a search of the area found no sign of him.
“I love Kyle so much and I miss him,” said Kirchem’s sister, Ashley Walton, one of several family members who continue to search for Kirchem. “I just want to know that he's OK.”
Walton said she believes she was the last person to see her brother, the night of November 19. She said Kirchem been feeling down and had struggled a bit with depression. She also said Kirchem loves to hike and believes that's what he was heading out to do when his car went off the road. From the gear they found, Walton said it looks like Kirchem had tried to tow himself out of the embankment before walking away.
“I don't think that he just drove out there to harm himself,” said Walton. “He's incredibly kind and caring and foremost he's a great father to an 8-year-old son who loves him and misses him.”
Kirchem is described as standing 5-foot 11-inches tall, weighing 155 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and green flannel coat with black or gray pants.
Anyone with information about Kirchem is asked to contact Gladstone police at 503-655-8211 and reference case #22-026372.