Search Efforts Underway for Missing Lebanon Man Donald Leroy Simmons Jr.

A search for missing Lebanon man Donald Leroy Simmons Jr. was organized by the MMIW Search and Hope Alliance, led by Kimberly Smart. Simmons, who belongs to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, has been unaccounted for since June 2024. His van was discovered containing personal belongings, but searches have not yielded significant evidence. Friends and family continue to seek answers amidst various theories surrounding his disappearance.

On February 16, a dedicated group of friends, family, and concerned citizens came together to search for Donald Leroy Simmons Jr., a Lebanon man who has been missing for nine months. The search was organized by Kimberly Smart, the head of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Search and Hope Alliance, after she learned about his disappearance earlier this year. Although the mission primarily focuses on Indigenous communities, Smart stated that they do not turn anyone away.

Donald Simmons, 50, is associated with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. He was last recorded as staying at a motel in Lebanon until June 18, 2024. On June 20, he sent a text message to his sister, Daphne Simmons, indicating he was going to get a haircut, which was the final communication from him. According to sources, the night before his disappearance, he won a substantial amount of money through lottery games.

Following his disappearance, his van was discovered abandoned off Berlin Road. Daphne’s boyfriend, Nick Cotter, encountered two men nearby who respectively claimed no knowledge of the vehicle. However, when police followed up, the men allegedly stated that Simmons had sold them the car. Items located inside the van included Simmons’ personal belongings, identification, a cellphone, and cleaning supplies. Efforts by police to find further evidence nearby yielded no results.

Smart informed the search volunteers that Simmons has previously left for periods but had never been out of contact for this long. Family members, including Daphne and Cotter, have conducted their own inquiries into his whereabouts and have developed various theories about his fate. Cotter speculated that Simmons might have accidentally drowned after attempting to relieve discomfort from poison oak by entering a river, although he noted that some circumstances do not align.

When queried about potential foul play, Cotter expressed reluctance to believe that theory, despite indications pointing in that direction. Jennifer Nelson, a friend of Daphne’s, joined the search efforts, lamenting the agony of uncertainty experienced by Simmons’ loved ones regarding his fate.

Prior to commencing the search, Smart provided instructions on how to properly search the area, which included utilizing flags to mark already searched locations. Volunteers combed through fields and vegetation near the Santiam River, employing search grids in designated areas. Smart remarked on the challenges of these searches, likening them to seeking a needle in a haystack. She mentioned that, while they focused on recovering remains, it remains a possibility that Simmons may have simply chosen to disappear.

Following a laborious day of searching, Smart conveyed that the team uncovered several items, although many will require forensic analysis before any conclusions can be drawn. The investigation remains active, preventing her from disclosing specific findings at this time. Smart affirmed the hope of bringing closure to the family and providing Simmons with a proper burial, as she highlighted the importance of his life.

Simmons was last seen wearing blue jeans, a dark T-shirt with white graphics, a baseball cap, and work boots. He has a height of 5’10” and weighs approximately 200 pounds. Authorities request anyone with information to contact Detective Timothy Trahan at (541) 258-4318 or Detective Sergeant Jeremy Weber at (541) 258-4342.

The community search for Donald Leroy Simmons Jr. emphasizes the persistent efforts of friends, family, and volunteers in locating missing individuals. The engagement of the MMIW Search and Hope Alliance reflects a commitment to addressing the issue of missing persons, particularly among Indigenous communities. Ongoing investigations and inquiries aim to provide closure for the Simmons family, highlighting both the complexities of such cases and the hope for resolution amid uncertainty.

Original Source: www.lebanonlocalnews.com