Over the weekend, a pair of kayakers went missing in Long Tom River near Monroe. Joseph Bendix, 26, and Mariana Dukes, 23 both of Eugene, were reported missing Sunday evening after leaving for their trip the previous morning from Ferguson Rd. with plans to return to Monroe City Park. Benton County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue began searching for the pair at 11:01 p.m. on April 23.
On April 25, around 9:00 a.m., a nearby landowner found a body approximately three miles south of Monroe. It was positively identified as Bendix.
Dukes remains missing. The last known contact Dukes had with her family was on Saturday, April 23.
The two were in a green kayak, which may be found downstream – therefore north – from Ferguson Rd. on the Long Tom. If you see an unattended, green kayak, please contact Detective David Iverson at david.iverson@co.benton.or.us or call 541-230-0984.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Department, “The 50 searchers include volunteers from nearby agencies: Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lane County Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue Team, Albany Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team, Lane County SAR, Benton County SAR’s Volunteer Aircraft Team, K9 SAR Unit, and drones from BCSO and Albany Fire Departments.”
Benton County Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said in the press release, “I’d like to thank Sheriff Harold and the members of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office for all their help during this event. Benton County SAR coordinator Kevin Higgins and the members of Benton County SAR have been amazing and I am grateful to have them as a resource to our county, along with all of the other volunteer organizations that have aided in this search. I would also like to thank the community of Monroe for their incredible grace and empathy to the family impacted by this tragedy.”
By Sally K Lehman
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