The mother of the man still missing after being swept over Dillon Falls Saturday is responding to a firestorm of negative comments aimed at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. The controversy is over whether a well-known diver should be allowed to participate in the search. Six people were tubing on the Deschutes River with inner tubes tied together when they missed the last takeout before the waterfalls. Three people were able to jump off and make it to shore. Two women and a male were swept over the 15′ falls. The bodies of the two women were recovered.
Diver Juan Heredia from California is the founder of “Angels Recovery Dive Team” which has located people missing in bodies of water. He wrote on his Facebook page that he was turned away by the Sheriff’s Office and went back home feeling disrespected. The Sheriff’s Office has said that stretch of the Deschutes River is closed while they are performing their search. Members of the public weighed in online about whether Heredia should have been allowed to participate.
The mother of the missing man has issued the following statement defending the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and criticizing Heredia for spreading misinformation.
MOTHER’S STATEMENT:
“It has come to my attention that there is misinformation circulating about the ongoing search and rescue operations to locate my child. I want to be clear and direct: my family and I have been in close communication with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Search & Rescue teams from the very beginning. We are incredibly grateful for their support, professionalism, and unwavering commitment. The efforts of the deputies, staff, and volunteers have gone above and beyond anything we could have hoped for, and we deeply appreciate everything they are doing.
“This search is far more complex than most people realize. Many members of the public do not have full knowledge of the situation, which has led to misunderstandings and assumptions. As the mother of the missing individual, I support the approach and strategy implemented by the Sheriff’s Office and the trained Search & Rescue professionals. I trust the situation is being handled with the utmost care, expertise, and compassion.
“Out of respect for our family, I ask that people refrain from spreading false information, speculating, or interfering in this process. We especially ask that “Juan the Diver” cease and desist from making further public comments or attempting to participate in the official search. His involvement has not been part of the coordinated response, and we do not want the hard work of these trained professionals questioned or disrupted.
“Our focus remains on bringing our child home. We are not speaking to the media at any time and respectfully ask that no one contacts our immediate family. We are still in the process of notifying relatives who live outside the country and we ask for privacy and space to navigate this unimaginable situation.
“Please continue to support the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the incredible people and volunteers working tirelessly on this mission. We are releasing this statement to clear the air and move forward without distraction.
“Thank you for your understanding and compassion.”
—with respect,
The Mother of the Missing Individual
This article appears in Source Weekly July 17, 2025.
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