Search Continues for Missing Grants Pass Man Last Seen on Highway 238
David Wright, 71, was recorded riding away from Murphy on July 21 and has not been seen since.
Missing Person Details
Name: David Wright
Age: 71
Height: 5 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 160 pounds
Hair: White
Eyes: Blue
Glasses: Wright is pictured wearing glasses
Last Seen: July 21 at Jubilation Fellowship Church in Murphy
Later Sighting: Dollar General in Murphy at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Clothing: Tan short-sleeve shirt and plaid shorts
Possible Transportation: White Genesis mountain bike with a white frame, black seat and black handlebars
Case Number: 26-20107
Contact: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, 541-474-5123
UPDATE, August 6, 2026:
The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office says surveillance footage now places David Wright at the Dollar General in Murphy at approximately 9:25 a.m. July 21, where he purchased a bottle of water. About five minutes later, another camera recorded him riding his white bicycle outbound on Highway 238 toward Hidden Valley Market. That remains his last confirmed sighting.
Detectives have continued searching roadways and reviewing cameras throughout Murphy, Provolt, Williams, and Wilderville. Search and Rescue crews and a community search group have also assisted, while investigators checked for possible domestic or international travel. Authorities said there is currently no evidence that a crime occurred, and it remains unclear where Wright went after leaving Murphy.
Anyone with information that may help locate Wright should call the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123.
MURPHY, Ore. — The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding a 71-year-old man who has not been seen since last week.
David Wright was last seen at Jubilation Fellowship Church in Murphy at approximately 8 a.m. July 21, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators believe Wright may have left the church on a white Genesis mountain bike. He was wearing a tan short-sleeve shirt and plaid shorts.
Security footage later showed Wright at the Dollar General in Murphy at approximately 9:30 a.m. that same day. His destination after leaving the store is unknown.
Wright is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and approximately 160 pounds, with white hair and blue eyes. In photos released by the sheriff’s office, he is shown wearing glasses.
Missing Person Poster: David Wright, 71, was last seen July 21 in Murphy and may have been traveling on the white Genesis mountain bike pictured. Anyone with information about his location should call the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123. Image courtesy of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
The missing-person poster also includes an image of the white Genesis mountain bike he may have been riding. The bicycle has a white frame, black seat and black handlebars.
Anyone with information about Wright’s location is asked to contact the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123 and reference case number 26-20107.
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