The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

A 24-year-old woman who had been reported missing last week from a home in the Plainview area east of Sisters was found dead Friday morning, November 25.

Investigators assured the public that the death did not involve foul play.

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Detective Chad Davis, Nickel C-Ann Bird was reported missing from a residence on Paladin Drive at 6:02 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22. Deputies, a K-9 unit and an Oregon State Police aircraft participated in a search of the surrounding area while detectives followed tips from the public and interviewed family members and tried to develop information on Bird's possible whereabouts.

After the initial missing persons report was filed, it was determined that a mountain bike was missing from the residence.

Last Friday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., family members of Nickel Bird contacted the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Detective Division to report they had located a mountain bike in a wooded area approximately three-quarters of a mile south of their residence near BLM land.

Detectives responded to the area with the assistance of two DCSO Special Services Deputies and a team of Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue volunteers to begin a ground search for Bird. Two detectives followed footprints from the location of the mountain bike for approximately half- to three-quarters of a mile until they located Bird deceased near a small camp. Bird had made a small camp, where she spent an undetermined amount of time. Bird had a sleeping bag and a small amount of supplies in her camp.

The Deschutes County Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene to assist with the death investigation. Davis reported that toxicology tests will be conducted to confirm the cause and manner of death. These tests can take several weeks to months to complete.

"The investigation at this point can confirm that Bird was not a victim of foul play," Davis reported.

Use of prescription medication and exposure to the elements were likely contributing factors in her death, according to the sheriff's office. Bird's next of kin have been notified of her death.

Search and Rescue volunteers further assisted in conducting a grid search for evidence and later assisted in transporting the remains out of the wooded area using a wheeled litter.