Nearly 20 Years Later, Search Renews for Oregon Boy Who Vanished in Crater Lake National Park
CRATER LAKE, OREGON — It has been almost two decades since 8-year-old Samuel “Sammie” Boehlke disappeared after running into the woods near Crater Lake National Park. Now, search teams have returned to the area, hoping to finally uncover answers in one of Oregon’s most haunting missing child cases.
The Day Samuel Disappeared
On October 14, 2006, Samuel was walking with his father near the Cleetwood Cove trailhead when he suddenly bolted into the woods. His father, Kenneth Boehlke, called for him to stop, but Samuel kept running and was never seen again.
At the time, Samuel was fascinated by collecting yellow pumice stones, which he called “gold.” His father believes Samuel thought it was a game when he darted into the forest.
Massive Search Hampered by Storm
Authorities launched extensive search efforts immediately, but a snowstorm soon swept through the area, complicating rescue operations. Despite repeated searches in the years that followed, no trace of Samuel has ever been found.
Family’s Struggles Over the Years
Samuel’s mother, Kirsten Becker, has spoken about the grief of not knowing what happened. She revealed her son had autism, which may have made communication during the frantic moments more difficult.
“It should have been easy, and we should have been able to find him, and that’s frustrating to them,” she said of the original search teams. She added that she does not blame Samuel’s father, who she said was “absolutely devastated” by the loss.
Renewed Search in 2025
Earlier this month, nearly 20 years after his disappearance, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies returned to Crater Lake to search the area once more. The effort reflects a commitment from investigators who continue to hope for closure.
Officials acknowledged that after so many years, the search is less about rescue and more about recovery. “Anything they can do to find something related to him so we can put him to rest would be great,” Kenneth told USA Today.
The Case Remains Open
Samuel was last seen wearing a black-and-green striped shirt, cargo pants, a blue winter coat, and red suede shoes. The case remains active, and authorities are still asking for tips from the public.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office at 541-883-7479.
The Boehlke family continues to hold out hope for closure, even as years pass without answers.
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