City of Salem, OR
03/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/16/2026 18:22
Tragic Conclusion: Deceased Woman Found Near Home in Salem Missing Person Investigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 15, 2026
CONTACT: Salem Police Communications Office | [email protected]
SALEM, Ore. - On March 15, 2026, at about 11:50 a.m., Hisako Gaunce, 93, of Salem, was found deceased following a missing person report.
Hisako was reported missing in the 5000 block of Gaffin Road SE by her family after they discovered she had not returned from an early morning walk.
Officers canvassed the area, and the Marion County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue and an Oregon State Police tracking canine responded to assist with the search. Shortly before noon, the canine located Hisako in Mill Creek, approximately 200 yards from her family's apartment.
The Marion County District Attorney's Office was notified, and a Marion County Medical Examiner responded to the scene. At this time, there is no criminal investigation.
The Salem Police Department expresses its deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time and would like to thank the Marion County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police for their assistance in this investigation.
For further inquiries, please contact the Marion County District Attorney's Office.
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City of Salem, OR published this content on March 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 17, 2026 at 00:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]