Body in Snake River identified as missing Parma man
A man found floating in the Snake River has been identified as a missing Parma man.
On Sunday, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible missing person from Parma.
Deputies learned 82-year-old Melvin Hittle had been fishing along an area of the Snake River, at a railroad trestle located northwest of Parma, near Leigh Lane.
Deputies located personal belongings and equipment belonging to Hittle at the location, but were not able to locate him.
The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol responded and was helped out by the Malheur and Payette County Sheriff’s Offices and dive team members from Canyon, Ada, and Gem Counties in a search that lasted well into the evening. Over the next few days, searchers continued scouring the Snake River.
About 7:30 Wednesday morning, the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office was notified that the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office had located a body in the Snake River near Star Island, north of Nyssa.
Canyon County detectives and the Coroner responded and helped Oregon authorities recover the body.
An autopsy later identified the man as Hittle.
The Coroner’s Office says the man died of natural causes.
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