After months missing, a Cottage Grove man’s body has been recovered in Dorena Lake.
Robert Ray Bennett II, 61, of Cottage Grove, went missing on Dec. 28, 2024. Bennett was last seen standing on the bank of Brice Creek at a campsite east of Cedar Creek Campground on Brice Creek Road, east of Disston. After further investigation, it is believed Bennett fell into Brice Creek, which was running near historically high flow rate at the time.
Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue searched the area extensively with drones, K9s, and ground searchers but could not locate Bennett.
On March 2, 2025, Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue reportedly recovered Bennett’s body downstream in Dorena Lake after a boater on the lake found him and called the police, according to LCSO.
