Dane's Cause Of Death Was Drowning

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office held a press conference the afternoon of March 13th to provide important information to the public regarding the search and recovery of 2-year old Dane Paulsen. The search for Dane began when he was reported missing just after 4pm on Saturday March 1st after he was playing in the family's yard. Public Information Officer Jess Palma said upon learning of the toddler's disappearance members of the Sheriff’s Office, Siletz Valley Fire, Oregon State Police and local law enforcement from Newport and Lincoln City, and the Sheriff's Office search and rescue team came together to coordinate a plan to search for Dane.  

The investigators interviewed the parents, followed up on community leads and began searching the surrounding area. This search included the family’s property, neighboring property, roads, and areas of thick forested terrain and the river banks. The Elk’s campground, located next to the family's property, hosted community volunteer search efforts for 3 days. Divers with the Sheriff’s office and surrounding Sheriff’s offices began searching the River from March 4th until the day he was found. After 3-days evidence, including footprints near the shore and scent tracking dogs found his scent near the river.

This meant the primary focus of the search was on the Siletz River. Sgt. Vale with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office who led the search efforts stated river searches can be very challenging and many variables need to be considered when searching the water. Some of these include water temperature, speed of the current, fixed and moving debris, all challenged search operations on a continuous basis.

Sgt. Valle said they utilized multiple water resources such as divers, water scent K-9’s, aerial and underwater drones and underwater sonar. During the investigation, the family contacted Diver Juan Heredia with Angels Recovery dive team. He met with the Sheriff’s Office team and a local guide took him down river. At approximately 11:13am on Tuesday March 11th he located a child’s body in about 8 feet of water, about 3 miles from the family’s home and about a mile away from the most recent dive operation.

The body was identified as Dane Paulson. He was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office where an autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, March 12th. Results from the autopsy show his cause of death was drowning. No criminal charges have been filed, however, it is standard with any death investigation like this that all information is turned over to the county District Attorney’s Office.

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks said “we are very grateful for Juan’s assistance in locating Dane and grateful for all of the community support and assistance that led to bringing Dane home.” Sgt. Valle said “any missing person investigation is tough, but it is especially difficult when the search is for a child.” The family has asked for space at this time to process and grieve the loss of Dane. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office expressed its deepest sympathies to Dane’s family and loved ones.