BREAKING NEWS: DCSO identifies final missing person from Dillon Falls Tragedy; brings closure to family
Matthew Draxton
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Deschutes County Sheriffs Office officially confirmed the identity of the third and final individual from the July 19th Dillon Falls tragedy, as Derek Slesinger.
After weeks of search and rescue operations, on August 21st, two kayakers exploring Lava Island Falls reported seeing a body in the rapids downstream from Dillon Falls. DCSO conducted a five hour operation with the help of Bend Fire & Rescue to recover the individual in an inaccessible, and swift water area.
Sleisinger of Delaware was visiting Central Oregon as part of a group of six friends on the weekend of the incident. Three individuals of the group survived, while Sleisinger along with two other individuals tragically died. The other two individuals are Amanda Loyd, 39, of Rockwall, Texas and Lindsay Bashan, 33, of Parkland, Florida.
Sleisinger’s mother, Diana Adames, met with Sheriff Ty Rupert, and asked for privacy from the public during this time, but offered heartfelt appreciate to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives, and Search and Rescue Teams. Despite the heartbreak, she expressed to the Sheriff her gratitude for closure and the ability to honor her son’s life.
In an interview today, Sheriff Rupert said he spent time with Adames nearly every day while the search was ongoing. The Sheriff found the experience humbling, but the way the Central Oregon came together during this was inspiring.
“I stayed in contact every day with the mom virtually every day throughout this entire time.” Said Sheriff Rupert J”ust hearing her, of how welcome she felt in our community and how supported she felt in our community. It just makes me even more proud to be the sheriff in Deschutes County.”
Below is part of the DCSO press release
“We are incredibly grateful to our Search and Rescue volunteers for their tireless dedication and to the kayakers who came forward when they discovered Derek. Most importantly, we are thankful his family has answers and some measure of closure after weeks of uncertainty. That is what matters most,” said Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert.
The recovery of Slesinger officially ends the search efforts connected to the Dillon Falls tragedy. Since July 12, Search and Rescue teams have devoted hundreds of hours to combing the stretch of river around Dillon Falls. Strong currents and Class VI rapids make recovery operations of this nature extremely difficult. Sections of the Deschutes River create additional challenges, with dangerous, unpredictable, and constantly shifting conditions. Slesinger was recovered in swift waters, and how Slesinger came to rest at Lava Island Falls will never be fully known.
“I also want to recognize the many partner agencies that assisted throughout these operations—Bend Fire & Rescue, Bend Police Department, The Portland Police Bureau, Civil Air Patrol, the Oregon State Marine Board, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, AirLink, and Leading Edge Aviation,” added Sheriff Rupert. “These efforts take teamwork, persistence, and coordination across many agencies, and I am proud of everyone who contributed. In the end, it was a combination of that teamwork and two kayakers being in the right place at the right time that allowed us to bring this case to a close.”
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that rivers can be unpredictable and dangerous. It’s essential to plan ahead, know take-out locations on rivers, obey all posted warnings, and always have a life jacket. These steps are critical for anyone recreating on local waterways.
Statement by Derek Slesinger’s Mother, Diana Adames
On behalf of my family, I want to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue, and all of the agencies and people who helped bring closure to this accident.
There have been a lot of rumors about what happened, but the truth is, most people don’t know or understand the whole story. I spent many days out on the river and was treated with such kindness by the Search and Rescue teams. They went above and beyond, spending more time than anyone can imagine searching for my boy. I also want to thank Sheriff Rupert, who kept me updated, took all my calls, and supported me every step of the way. I am deeply grateful to the kayakers who noticed my son in the river and came forward.
We may never know exactly where Derek was all this time or why he ended up downriver. None of that matters to me. What matters is that I can finally bring my son home, let him rest in peace, and close this chapter.
I also want to thank community members, like my new friends Piera and Kerri, who embraced, supported, and showed me kindness. Local businesses stepped up, such as Hook & Plow, Dear Mom Cafe, Still Vibrato, Donner Flower Shop, and 10 Barrel, who were so good to me. I’ll never forget it. They showed me the wonderful side of humanity.
As my family and I bring Derek home, I ask that our privacy be respected so we can say goodbye and let him rest in peace. Please know that my gratitude to this community, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, its Search & Rescue teams, and everyone who stood by me is heartfelt and will remain with me forever.
Diana Adames