It’s a sad ending to the recent St. Helens missing persons case- Brent Erickson’s body was recovered on Weyerhaeuser timberland property yesterday.

Erickson was last seen alive on August 7th. He was on his way to deliver some food to some family members near Kalama River Road and Italian Creek Road. When he was not seen or heard from, he was reported missing.

The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office reports, with the help of many community partners and volunteers, 800 miles were covered in their search for Erickson. But it wasn’t until Friday, August 28th that a citizen spotted his vehicle on Weyerhaeuser timberland, near the 6402 line.
When deputies arrived, they confirmed it was Erickson’s truck stuck in a ditch, unoccupied. A search of the area that night and the follow day were unsuccessful.

Then on Sunday, August 30th, a Weyerhaeuser Woods Security employee found Erickson’s deceased body in a steep area with thick underbrush, about 1/2 mile from his vehicle.
The Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office have conducted an autopsy, but the cause and manner of Erickson’s death is yet to be made public. CCSO confirmed next of kin has been notified.