A SKULL found in a remote Oregon woodland could finally provide closure for a heartbroken family whose loved one disappeared without a trace.
Shane Sprenger, a 47-year-old man, disappeared in Blue River, Lane County, Oregon in November 2021. His concerned sisters, Misty and Stacey, expressed to The U.S. Sun their worries that foul play may be involved.
The carpenter’s arm was found nearby on June 27, 2023, but his body has never been discovered.
A cranium discovered 18 months ago, however, could finally crack the mystery that has remained unsolved for almost four years.
But Sprenger’s disappearance isn’t the only one in the mountainous, rural area of Lane County, which has a population of 350,000.
Within an 85-mile radius, there are at least five open investigations, with shattered families still searching for the answers.
At the most recent count, 35 people are missing — one of the largest numbers in the state.
FATHER’S PAIN
Michael Bryson, 26, was last seen in August 2020 after heading to a rave in Dorena, around 84 miles south of Blue River.
His father, Parrish, said he knew his beloved son was gone the moment he trekked to the area, which has no cellphone service.
“When I stepped out of the vehicle and started looking around, I had a peace about Michael that I hadn’t had for about 8 years,” Parrish said.
“I knew in my heart that he was gone.”
Music events are often held there and many people take advantage of the state’s relaxed drug laws.
Parrish believes his son was the victim of “puddling” — a type of hazing where someone is intentionally overdosed with acid.
He also fears ketamine use was involved and that Michael’s body was dumped in the woods.
Another theory suggests Michael was the victim of a hit-and-run, with his body disposed of by those involved.
TROUBLING TREND
The tragic cases of Mekenna Reiley and Chase Robertson add to the mystery.
Mekenna’s remains were discovered in Blue River in August 2023, following her disappearance four months earlier. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that her death was due to drowning and ruled out any evidence of foul play. However, her family did not accept this determination.
“I was certain that my sister would not harm herself, but she is being portrayed as a substance abuser or someone going through a mental health crisis,” Bevin Stepp, her sister, stated during that period.
“I don’t feel relief that that happened to her, but I feel relief that we’ve been fighting for her, and it wasn’t all in vain.”
Private investigator Scott McKee, hired by the family, accused police of making grave mistakes in keeping Mekenna safe after she was seen “naked and frightened” at a construction site on April 5, 2023.
“The police did not take action where I think it was clear she was a danger to herself. She was disoriented; something was wrong,” McKee said.
Eric Brazil is another missing person whose case remains open. His car was recovered in Vida, 26 miles away, yet his body has never been found.
The families of Shane and Michael, meanwhile, told The U.S. Sun they feel let down by the Lane County Police Department.
They accused cops of keeping the skull found in the missing person hotspot “on their shelf for 18 months without doing anything.”
The families were forced to raise around $3,000 to expedite DNA testing, hoping for answers about their loved ones.
Their push for the truth has been inspired by the tireless, selfless work of Candice Cooley, whose 19-year-old son Dylan Rounds vanished in 2022.
He was murdered and his body was eventually found dumped two miles from their home in Lucin, Utah.
His killer, James Brenner, a squatter on their farmland, later admitted to the crime as part of a plea bargain.
Until someone is in this situation, it’s almost impossible to understand.
Parrish Bryson
He was sentenced in July 2024 to up to 30 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge.
Dylan’s Legacy Project, created in the wake of his tragic death, helped bring the Sprenger and Bryson families together.
“Why are these people having to pay thousands of dollars to find answers about their sons, brothers, or daughters?” Cooley asked.
“It’s just wrong.”
SKULL MYSTERY
While Parrish doesn’t believe the skull belongs to his son given the distance from where he was last seen, Shane’s two sisters remain hopeful.
A potentially 12-week wait has begun. It took a grueling 9 months to confirm the arm was Shane’s — an emotionally indescribable time for his siblings.
Meanwhile, the families of Mekenna and Chase will also be watching developments closely.
In an extensive interview with The U.S. Sun, Lane County Sergeant Timothy Wallace stressed his severely undermanned department is doing everything it can to solve the cases and bring closure to those affected.
Wallace said in the vast and difficult terrain, sometimes only three officers are working daily, with the backlog of cases severely testing resources.
“Our county sheriff’s office has been chronically underfunded for decades,” he said.
He was unable to discuss individual cases but assured families that hope remains despite the treacherous geography of Lane County, where large areas of drainage can increase travel time and make places harder to reach.
Some areas have large expanses of vegetation, with 45-degree slopes causing further problems for search and rescue experts.
He recalled past successes, where search teams conducting training in areas where people had previously gone missing managed to solve cases.
A cold case unit in Lane County, staffed by a small group of experienced, retired cops is also on hand to assist.
But the “unforgiving” terrain makes the job much harder. Wallace said some areas are impossible to access without specialized equipment or training.
“It’s not like searching in an open field or even a suburban area,” he explained, “It’s really challenging.”
Following the discovery of Shane’s arm, local police categorically ruled out the disappearances being the work of a serial killer.
DREAMS CUT SHORT
Shane’s family believes he fell in with the wrong crowd and that there was a disconnect between him and his wife.
Working as a building contractor, he had been living in an RV after losing his home in a fire. He purchased a second plot of land and was looking forward to starting fresh.
“He was so excited. He was a gentle soul,” said his sister Misty, who also revealed they were scammed by a rogue private investigator who fleeced them for $30,000.
She claims there were red flags in her brother’s case from the start.
“He didn’t do this himself,” Misty added. “He didn’t end up in the river by himself.”
The results of the skull examination could be key.
But for Parrish and his wife Tina, their nightmare continues.
They are no closer to finding Michael’s body but will never give up hope.
The family has yet to lay him to rest, though a celebration of life may be planned soon. They are seeking comfort through expert counseling.
Parrish and Tina have created the Michael Bryson Foundation to educate people about mental health and drug issues.
“We also bring awareness to law enforcement, the court system, doctors, and first responders. We need to remove the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health,” said Parrish.
“The common denominator is that they’re still human. They deserve to be treated as such.”
“When Dylan went missing, my wife reached out to Candice as a mom, and they started talking right away,” he added.
“One thing we try to do is support other families going through this because we understand their pain.
“The second week after Michael went missing, a woman reached out to us. Her son had been missing for seven years.
“The first bit of advice she gave my wife was, ‘No matter what tips come in, you can’t dwell on them until you have facts. Otherwise, as a parent, you’ll drive yourself crazy.'”
He concluded, “So we take the wisdom we’ve gained from other families and have tried to create a support system where they can reach out anytime.
“Because truly, until someone is in this situation, they may try to empathize, but it’s almost impossible to understand.”
