CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — On Monday, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office suspended an eight-day search for a 78-year-old man who went missing in the woods near Molalla Forest Road on April 22.
Carroll Donald Parkins of Colton went searching for shed deer and elk antlers on the morning of April 22 and did not return home, according to the sheriff's office. Family members contacted authorities just after midnight on April 23 after finding Parkins' truck, a silver Toyota Tundra, parked on a gravel pull-out on Molalla Forest Road.
The search was active from April 23 through April 30 with an average of 47 volunteers each day putting in about 3,100 personnel hours within the eight days of searching, according to CCSO.
The sheriff's office initially launched the search and rescue mission, and teams began their search in the area where Parkins' truck was found around 5 a.m. on April 23. The teams have continued to search the area daily but were unable to locate any signs or evidence of Parkins and cited that the area had "minimal to nonexistent cell service" as a factor.
The search area was in the Molalla River Recreation Area, a rugged but picturesque area along the Molalla River. Trees there were burned by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire, which potentially gave searchers a less obstructed view into the forest.
CCSO said that Parkins may have been wearing brown boots, blue jeans, a black and white plaid shirt, a brown flannel over-shirt, suspenders, and a black baseball cap with orange on the bill.
The Sheriff's office is still seeking tips on Parkins' disappearance. Anyone who has seen or heard from Parkins since April 22 is asked to CCSO's non-emergency line at 503-655-8211 or the tipline at 503-723-4949, and reference case number 23-008383.
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