Eugene Man Missing Since Feb. 18 Near Gate Creek East of Vida

Gate Creek Road east of Vida is the last known corridor linked to Michael “Trevor” Naughton, 42, of Eugene after surveillance footage shows him leaving a Vida gas station with red and yellow gas cans following a report that his car had run out of fuel. Family and Lane County investigators say the bright yellow 5-gallon gas can is “key” to locating him, and a $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to that can.

Naughton was last heard from in mid-February; multiple sources identify Feb. 18 as the date he went missing after telling his mother he had run out of gas and hiked into town to obtain fuel. Family members report he texted that he had to hike about 13 miles into Vida to get gas. The timeline contains conflicting details about the vehicle: the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and local reporting indicate a silver 2009 Ford Fusion with Idaho plates was discovered in the Gate Creek area on Feb. 19, while a separate KVAL dispatch said the vehicle “has not been located.” Investigators have not publicly reconciled that discrepancy.

Search operations have been active along Highway 126 - McKenzie Highway and logging roads off Gate Creek Road. Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue is leading the effort with assistance from Oregon State Police, drone pilots from Mohawk Valley Fire and Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District, and volunteer searchers. Drone footage has reportedly captured Naughton on a road in the area; family members say he did not return along that route. Along an access road beyond a gate, searchers logged a Mountain Dew bottle and a Gatorade bottle and found two small campfires about half a mile apart, evidence family members say could indicate he took a wrong fork.

Family accounts supply crucial physical and medical details: Naughton is about 5 feet 10 inches and 170 to 175 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and a grayish goatee. Family members report he walks with a distinct limp and is missing toes on his left foot, and that he has a history that includes two prior brain aneurysms and ongoing mental-health challenges. Clothing reports conflict: East Idaho News published family statements that he was wearing jeans, a dark sweatshirt and HeyDude shoes, while law enforcement sources have described his last clothing as unknown.

Family members describe the March search as urgent. Eddye K. Bean, identified as Naughton’s mother, wrote on social media: “We are desperate for answers. As his mother, I need peace, I need to bring my son home.” She added, “Someone out there may hold the missing piece that can help us.” Investigators have said Naughton “may have driven, or hitchhiked, back into Eugene,” and they continue to explore both local and outbound movements.

Anyone with information or who locates the yellow 5-gallon gas can is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 541-682-4150, option 1. The search remains active in the Gate Creek wilderness east of Vida as family and authorities press for the next lead.