A body discovered by Eugene Public Works at a pump station on May 27 was confirmed as Noah DeWitt, a University of Oregon alumnus who was last seen Feb. 14.
DeWitt, 24, was found in an underground “wet well” at the Fillmore Pump Station off Briarcliff Lane while EPW was performing routine maintenance.
DeWitt graduated in 2012 with degrees in journalism and international studies. During his tenure at the UO, he was the editor-in-chief of the Oregon Voice and was also employed at the New Frontier Market.
This is what we know regarding the disappearance and subsequent discovery of DeWitt:
Feb. 14:
At 2 a.m., DeWitt was last seen leaving the Heart and Spoon Community House without shoes and was emotionally distressed, according to friends.
“He was expressing a lot of anxiety and fear about bad things happening to him and his friends and family,” Jessica Feather, a friend of Dewitt told the Emerald. “He wasn’t in his normal, coherent mind.”
Feb. 20:
KVAL reports that DeWitt had been sighted hitchhiking south of Roseburg. This sighting is one of many reported at the time.
“We don’t know if that was Noah, but we’ve canvassed that area pretty well at this point,” Tyler Pell, a friend of DeWitt who was heavily involved in the search, told the Emerald then.
March 10:
There is still no sign of DeWitt.
“He’s normally an extremely positive, happy person, and then some days he sounded down and a little depressed,” Joan Zivi said to the Emerald at the time.
March 21:
Friends of DeWitt create a video using footage of DeWitt and a song written and performed by him, hoping it will reach the missing UO alum.
May 27:
A body is found in a sewage drain by EPW. KATU reports that there are only three ways for something to enter the waste water treatment facility. Either through personal plumbing, like a sink or drain, entering a man hole or entering the facility itself.
May 30:
Someone on DeWitt’s personal Facebook page publishes a post announcing his body has been found. The Heart and Spoon Facebook page also posts the news and condolences.
May 31:
Melinda McLaughlin, public information officer for EPD confirms the body found is Noah DeWitt.
The post on DeWitt’s personal Facebook page reads:
“To the many people who have known and loved our son, brother, and friend Noah DeWitt, it is with deep sadness that we share the news that his body was found in Eugene late last week.”
The post also says details for the memorial service are being finalized and will be posted soon.
Many people took to Facebook to share their condolences, thoughts and memories of DeWitt. Many shared memories of him being a kind, warm and talented person.