Authorities in Oregon have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the disappearance and suspected murder of Ryan Staggs, who went missing almost three years ago. Murphy Calvin Henry II, 54, was taken into custody on Jan. 9 on charges of second-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence.
Staggs, 30, was last seen at his residence in Newport, Oregon on January 31, 2022, and was reported missing shortly after. Despite an extensive search and multiple tips, Staggs remained unaccounted for until recent developments.
The Lincoln County District Attorney Cold Case Unit had been actively pursuing leads in Staggs' disappearance since May 2022. A breakthrough came when cadaver dogs alerted investigators to the scent of human remains in soil removed from a backyard during a search warrant execution on Dec. 27.
Following this discovery, a shallow grave was located in a remote area of Lincoln County on Jan. 8, where remains believed to be Staggs' were found. Official identification is pending confirmation by the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office.
Prior to his disappearance, Staggs, who owned Happy Motors in Newport, had survived a gunshot wound to the face while sleeping in his home in August 2021. His vehicle, initially missing, was later recovered and sold at auction.
While authorities have not disclosed a motive or cause of death in Staggs' case, the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the disappearance or murder of Ryan Staggs is urged to contact the Newport Police Department's tip line at 541-270-1856 or via email at [email protected].
