Grants Pass Man Indicted for Murder After Neighbor Disappears Under Suspicious Circumstances
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A Josephine County Grand Jury has indicted 50-year-old Israel Wytcherley on charges of murder and the unlawful use of a weapon following the disappearance of a nearby neighbor in Grants Pass.
According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Randall ‘Randy’ Hecker (67) went missing under suspicious circumstances from a residence in the 900 block of Summer Lane, Grants Pass, on July 7, 2026.
- July 7, 9:43 a.m. : Deputies respond to Summer Lane.
- That morning : Hecker is reported missing and in danger.
- Later : Wytcherley is located and arrested.
- After further investigation : A grand jury returns new charges.
- July 14 : JCSO asks the public for information.
Deputies, assisted by Oregon State Police and the Grants Pass Police Department, established that the missing man could have been kidnapped and could be in danger.
Wytcherley, who lives near the victim’s home, was identified as a suspect and located at a different location in Grants Pass.
He was arrested and lodged at the Josephine County Jail and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and assault, and the unlawful use of a weapon.
JCSO is Appealing to the Public for Information
JCSO cannot disclose more information as the case is under investigation. However, investigators appeal to anyone with knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts to contact them.
Hecker is 5’8” tall and weighs 185 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt, blue/gray shorts, and a backpack- style sprayer. The sprayer is an item of interest to investigators.
Wytcherley’s 2016 gray Chevy Silverado was located in the Galice area on the morning of July 7. Anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the Merlin or Galice area is asked to contact JCSO.