Body of Lost Walla Walla Teen Found

by Jay Wintermeyer

TOLLGATE, Ore., A two-day search for a lost teen separated from his family during a cross-country ski trip ended Monday when the boy's body was located.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s office, the search was called off Monday at 11:40 a.m. after Nathan Cain’s body was found in a remote part of Union County.

Cain, of Walla Walla, Wash., had been on a family cross-country ski trip in the Andes Prairie area Saturday and was reported missing that afternoon.

Union County Sherriff Boyd Rasmussen stated, “A search commenced immediately and continued non-stop through Monday morning.”

At its height, the search involved 80 people on snowshoes, skis, snowmobiles and vehicles. Assisting were search-and-rescue units from Baker and Umatilla Counties, aircraft from the Oregon National Guard and Oregon State Police and communication resources from the La Grand Rural Fire Department.

The cause of death has not been confirmed, though Union County Sheriff Office's Captain Craig Ward said, “There are no signs of foul play.”

Ward said the boy’s body was discovered 1.78 miles from the point last seen, in a small, steep gully, heavily wooded and well off any trail.

“There are very strong indications that Nathan succumbed to hypothermia on Saturday night,” Ward said.

Cain was a Pathfinder at Waiilatpu where his father, Jim, has been a counselor for many years. In addition, he had been in the seventh grade at Rogers Adventist School in College Place, Wash. Counselors were made available for students at the school Monday.