Depression takes life of Sisters man

The disease of depression took the life of Edward H. Benton, whose body was found on Wednesday, May 13, near the junction of Squawback and Indian Ford roads.

Ed, 74, had been taking medication, but there were difficulties in treating a variety of symptoms. According to sheriff's department reports, Benton apparently committed suicide.

Ed was last seen at 11:30 p.m. on Monday. He was reported missing from his home at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Deschutes County Search and Rescue was notified at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

After a conference with the family, an extensive search by a 25-member Deschutes County Search and Rescue team on horseback, mountain bikes, motorcycles and other vehicles concentrated on roads and trails until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Ed was not believed to be suicidal at that time, nor did the family think he would leave a trail or road.

The Camp Sherman Hasty Team searched the east flank of Black Butte.

"One of the concerns we had was hypothermia. Mr. Benton didn't take any hiking gear," said Wayne Inman, director of Deschutes County Search and Rescue.

After the official search proved unsuccessful, a private search was launched.

"At a conference with the family, we gave instructions on close-grid search if they wanted a private search conducted," said Inman. The private search concentrated on Indian Ford Meadow and surrounding area.

"The response by friends and neighbors and school colleagues was tremendousAt 3 p.m. I called the school and told them that search and rescue had to leave and that we were going to do a private searchwithin 45 minutes we had 30 cars at the house," said Sally Benton, Ed's daughter-in-law.

Ed's body was found not far off a trail about a mile from his home.

"I have to compliment the family for their courage and their commitment to seeing that we were doing everything possible to locate Mr. Benton. It seemed impossible that they could operate under those conditions, but they did," Inman added.

There are many types of clinical depression, ranging from a normal depressed mood and grief through major depression and bi-polar disorder or manic-depression, according to articles published on the disease.

Some forms of depression are believed to be even more deadly than heart disease or cancer to sufferers. Between six and 10 percent of all Americans are believed to suffer from some form of major depression, and 15 percent of hospitalized patients succeed in killing themselves.

The disease is not well understood. Clinical depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated, which is why many sufferers attempt suicide.

There are now a variety of medications to correct what is thought to be a chemical imbalance in the brain that may be responsible for the disease. While closely related, some of these may be more effective in one individual than others.