50-Year-Old Man Indicted for Murder as Search Continues for Missing Grants Pass Resident
THE MAN WAS INITIALLY ARRESTED ON CHARGES INCLUDING ATTEMPTED MURDER, ASSAULT, KIDNAPPING AND UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON AFTER A GRANTS PASS RESIDENT DISAPPEARED FROM SUMMER LANE.
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A Josephine County grand jury has indicted a 50-year-old man on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon as investigators continue searching for a Grants Pass resident who has been missing since July 7.
Josephine County sheriff’s deputies responded at 9:43 a.m. July 7 to a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane following a report of a missing person under suspicious circumstances.
Deputies determined that 67-year-old Randall “Randy” Hecker was missing from his residence and could be in danger.
Detectives from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police and Grants Pass Police Department responded and began investigating.
Investigators identified Israel Wytcherley, 50, who lives near Hecker’s residence, as the suspect. Wytcherley was located at a separate location in Grants Pass and taken into custody.
Investigators say Randall “Randy” Hecker was last seen with a backpack-style sprayer similar to the one shown. The sprayer has not been located and is considered an item of interest in the investigation. Josephine County Sheriff’s Office image
He was initially arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on charges of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon.
Following further investigation, the sheriff’s office said a Josephine County grand jury indicted Wytcherley on charges of murder in the second degree and unlawful use of a weapon.
Hecker has not been seen since the July 7 incident and remains missing. He is described as a white man who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds.
He was last seen wearing blue or gray shorts, a light blue T-shirt and a backpack-style sprayer. Investigators said the sprayer has not been located and is considered an item of interest.
Investigators also determined that Wytcherley’s gray 2016 Chevrolet Silverado was in the Galice area on the morning of July 7.
Anyone who saw the pickup in the Merlin or Galice area that morning, or who has information that could help locate Hecker, is asked to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities said additional details are not currently available for release.
Cover image: File photo, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
