Kyron search scales back, cops look for video evidence

By KATU.com Staff Published: Jun 13, 2010 at 12:40 PM PDT Last Updated: Jun 14, 2010 at 6:54 PM PDT
Kyron search scales back, cops look for video evidence »Play Video

TIP LINE - (503) 261-2847

PORTLAND, Ore. – The official search effort for a missing 7-year-old boy is ending and the case has now turned into a criminal investigation with a $25,000 reward, police announced on Sunday.

On Monday, Capt. Jason Gates with the Multnomah Country Sheriffs Office appeared at an 11 a.m. news conference and said the search was being largely scale back as the investigation moved to the next stage. He also said that barring any new developments, it was the last scheduled news conference.

Gates thanked the hundreds of professional searchers, most of them volunteers,who contributed to the largest search in Oregon history. He also thanked media outlets for their coverage and all those who supported the search effort.

Kyron Horman disappeared on June 4 sometime after a science fair at Skyline Elementary School.

Gates said about 1,300 searchers and over 200 detectives from all over Oregon have been involved in the case. "The assistance we have received from these agencies has not stopped," Gates said.

For over a week, search and rescue crews have combed the area around the school and other areas of interest around town without success. On Sunday, they wrapped up the larger search effort and went home. A secondary search of the immediate area, the school and "key locations" was continuing.

"We will keep a contingent of search and rescue crews on call to respond to any tip or investigative lead that needs to be check out," Capt. Monte Reiser, with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, said during a news conference on Sunday.

On Monday, Gates told reporters that "this process is not over; this will not become a cold case."

Divers search in Sauvie Island Waters

Divers were spotted from the air in waist-deep and chest-deep water Monday afternoon at Sauvie Island, and authorities confirmed late Monday afternoon that it was part of the search for Kyron.

The Multnomah Dive Team moved methodically along the Multnomah Channel and checked the water and debris along the river bank. A short time later they packed into vehicles and moved to another area a short distance away.  One searcher was spotted using a metal probe to poke into the water and through the waist-high grass.

What happened to the young boy remains a mystery. News that the official search effort is now over and the case is being moved into the next phase had to come at some point but police say they are still committed to the family.

"It's very important to us that the family and friends of Kyron, as well as the public, know that our commitment and resources are unwavering," Capt. Reiser said.

"I spent a great deal of time with the families yesterday," said Multnomah County Sheriff Dan Staton, who spoke at the news conference as well. "They understood the course and they were very supportive of it. I outlined exactly what it was that we would be doing as an agency and being supported by the other agencies in the State of Oregon in this process."

Police Seek Surveillance Video

As part of the investigation, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office is requesting surveillance video from nearby storefronts, private homes, security cameras or any other surveillance recording from June 3 and June 4. They are specifically looking for video of vehicular traffic from the following locations (also see the two maps below):

  • Northwest Cornelius Pass Road
  • Northwest Germantown Road
  • Northwest Logie Trail Road
  • Northwest Rocky Point Road
  • Northwest Skyline Road
  • Northwest 185th Avenue
  • Northwest West Union Road
  • Northwest Springville Road
  • Bethany Boulevard
  • Northwest Springville Road
  • Northwest Newberry Road
  • Northwest McNamee Road
  • Highway 30 from Northwest Rock Point to Germantown Road
  • Northwest Kaiser Road
  • Northwest Thompson Road
  • Northwest Laidlaw Road

Anyone with video of those areas is asked to contact the sheriff's office tip line at (503) 261-2847. Leave your name, contact information and identify the specific location or street address of the video footage.

Reward

"As of today, through the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, we will be offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that leads to the location of Kyron," said Staton.

If you have information you think might help in the investigation, call the tip line at (503) 261-2847.

Prayer Vigil

A prayer vigil for Kyron is scheduled for June 15 at 7 p.m. It will be held at Sunset Presbyterian Church at 14986 N.W. Cornell Road.

Fliers

T-Shirts

There is a large quantity of Kyron missing persons T-shirts available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis at the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Hanson Building at 12240 N.E. Glisan. They will be available after 3 p.m. on Sunday.