Early Friday morning just before 2:00 am, April 12th, Coos County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to a residence in North Bend regarding a report of an assault. While en route, Deputies were notified that the subject had left the residence prior to their arrival. Dispatch also advised the suspect had a dog with him when he left the residence. North Bend Police responded after a request for mutual aid.
While searching the area for the suspect, Deputies found the dog under the McCullough bridge standing on a small ledge. Two Deputies and Officers from North Bend continued the search, while one Deputy responded to the residence to investigate the original report.
While at the residence, the Deputy learned that the victim had offered the man, later identified as 19-year-old Damien E. Austin, a place to stay for the night. The victim explained that she had turned away from the subject, who then grabbed her from behind and had her in a choke hold, cutting off her air supply. The victim showed signs of the altercation, exhibiting abrasions to her neck and arms as well as some evidence of bleeding.
After confirming the victim did not require further medical care, the Deputy left the residence to continue the search. A Coos County Marine Deputy was called out, as was the Coast Guard and the North Bend Fire Department who responded in a boat to search the waters.
Despite continuing to search into daylight hours, Officers were unable to find that suspect. At approximately 6:00 pm on April 16th, Deputies responded to recover Mr. Austin, who had bee located deceased in the water under the McCullough Bridge.
Just before 6:00pm Tuesday, April 16th, the North Bend Command Center received a request from North Bend Dispatch to assist recovering a Person in the Water from the north side of the McCullough Memorial Bridge.
The Command Center dispatched a small boat from Station Coos Bay and diverted a Coast Guard MH65D, which was already on a training flight. Arriving on scene, the helicopter crew established communication with the North Bend Fire Rescue boat, who directed them to the person in the water. The helicopter deployed their rescue swimmer to the mud flats, who recovered the individual later confirmed to be 19 year old Damien E. Austin.
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