Clothing prompts search off Highway 20

A deer hunter's discovery 10 days ago of bones and items of women's underclothing stashed near the Santiam highway has stirred an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

The stash, located in a brushy area off a closed access road, included up to seven pairs of underpants which had been slashed at the sides, a training bra and slip.

The garments had been hung on shrubby growth, according to Lance McKenzie, resident deputy at Camp Sherman.

Also found were a man's ski jacket in good condition, a clipping from the Eugene Register guard dated last March, a Lane County transit schedule, a container of Vaseline and a number of bones believed to be from animals, probably deer.

Investigators removed evidentiary items from the scene to Madras.

The Camp Sherman Hasty Team of Jefferson County Search and Rescue combed an area situated between Suttle Lake and Santiam Pass on Saturday, and turned up numerous other animal bones and a torn pair of men's purple briefs. The briefs were located several hundred yards and across a road from the original stash.

Search commander Mark Foster of Camp Sherman said the investigation will continue, but so far no evidence indicating foul play has been established.