Sisters hiker found dead

A Sisters man died Saturday, January 31, due to an apparent medical problem while hiking about 10 miles south of town in the Three Creek Road Area.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded at about 8:36 p.m., to a report of an overdue hiker from Sisters. The hiker, James Holcomb, age 70, was reported by his family to be hiking in the area of the U.S. Forest Service 1514 Road, near the 980 Spur Road.

Holcomb went hiking by himself and was prepared for the weather with the proper clothing, a charged cell phone and supplies to be hiking in winter conditions. Holcomb was reported to be driving a red 1998 Mercedes SUV.

Deputies from the Deschutes County Special Services Division began making preparations for Search and Rescue units to begin a search, when another deputy located Holcomb's vehicle on the 1514 Road at the 750 Spur Road.

The deputy began driving up the 750 Spur, when he encountered a tree across the road. The deputy then continued on foot up the spur road, until he located Holcomb's body in the middle of the road. Holcomb had been dead for several hours prior to the arrival of the deputy.

A U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer arrived on scene and cut the tree from the roadway, allowing law enforcement to access to Holcomb's body.

The initial investigation determined no foul play was involved and it appeared Holcomb suffered a medical emergency and died at the scene. The Deschutes County Medical Examiner's Office will be assisting in this investigation.