The body of 42 year old Michael Naughton was found about a mile away from where his vehicle was located two months ago, according to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
Naughton was reported missing on February 19, 2026. His vehicle, a silver 2009 Ford Fusion with Idaho plates, was found later that night in the Gate Creek area, east of Vida off Highway 126.
On April 21, 2026, a private investigator found Naughton’s body on an abandoned spur road, more than a mile east of where his vehicle was found. No indication of foul play has been found.
The Disappearance of Michael Naughton
On February 18, 2026, Michael Trevor Owen Naughton was in the Vida area along McKenzie Highway, east of Springfield, when his car ran out of gas.
According to text messages, his family believes he left his car and walked 4 miles to a forestry road and another 6 miles to a gas station.
Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station captured Michael purchasing a red gas can, a yellow gas can, a few candy bars, a Mountain Dew Baja Blast, and an orange Gatorade that afternoon.
Michael then reportedly sat outside the store for awhile before talking to a man in a pickup truck. Naughton gave the man $20 and paid for his gas for a ride back to his car.
On the way back to Michael’s car, they reached a forest road gate that was closed and locked, so the driver says he left Michael there around 2:30 pm. Naughton chose to walk back to his car, carrying the gas cans.
Michael hasn’t been seen since. The last communication from him was sent at 3:42 pm, which was a text to his mother saying that it would be some time before he reached his vehicle.
Michael has serious medical issues, including two brain aneurysms which have led to some mental health challenges, according to his family. He walks with a distinct limp and is missing toes on his left foot.
Investigation
On February 19, 2026, Michael’s vehicle, a silver 2009 Ford Fusion with Idaho plates, was found in the Gate Creek area, east of Vida off Highway 126.
Searchers later found a Mountain Dew bottle, candy wrappers, the red gas can, and a Gatorade bottle beyond the forest gate. There is a fork in the road, and it’s possible Michael may have gone the wrong way when trying to get back to his car, as two small campfires were found in the road about a half mile apart.
Temperatures in the area the night he went missing were in the 20’s with cold rain and sleet.
The 5 gallon yellow gas can he was carrying remains missing; finding it may help lead to his location.
If you have any information regarding Michael Naughton’s case please contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 682-4150.
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