Body of missing Union woman located

Published 12:15 pm Tuesday, August 29, 2023

LA GRANDE — A missing Union woman was found deceased on Saturday, Aug. 26, in the greater Mount Harris area, the Union County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release.

Rebecca “Becckie” Lilleston was reported missing on July 9, and her last cellphone activity was shown to be in the Mount Harris area. Her body was found after a family on Aug. 26 spotted a crashed vehicle in the bushes below the Rock Springs overlook on the USFS 62 Road northeast of Cove. The family immediately contacted Union County 911 dispatch, which prompted a Union County Sheriff’s Office-led effort.

“Based on the vehicle description and items found in the area it became apparent the vehicle likely belonged to Rebecca Lilleston,” the UCSO press release said.

According to the press release, following the initial missing person report, UCSO deputies and members of the public had searched the area, including where the vehicle was ultimately located.

“Dense brush substantially obscured the view of the vehicle from the overlook, which is likely what prevented it from being located by prior search efforts,” the press release said.

On Aug. 26, nearly a dozen personnel from Union County Search and Rescue and the La Grande Rural Fire Department responded to the scene. The vehicle was positioned on a steep slope, so the agency personnel provided technical rope access and personnel to assist the sheriff’s office deputies.

“On arrival, the responders confirmed the vehicle and associated personal effects at the scene belonged to Rebecca Lilleston,” the press release said. “Due to the nature of the crash, the driver of the vehicle appeared to have been unrestrained and subsequently ejected from the vehicle during the crash.”

Human remains presumed to be Lilleston were located after a brief search by SAR and the fire department of the surrounding area, according to the press release.

“The Union County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Lilleston,” the press release said.