Deputies searching for missing teen find body in woods near Randle

Deputies in Lewis County have recovered a body in woods near Randle as part of an investigation into a missing 16-year-old boy.

According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the boy, who has been identified on social media as Benjamin E. Eastman, was last seen Saturday and reported missing by his family Wednesday morning.

Chief Deputy Bruce Kimsey told The Chronicle on Friday the body found during the investigation has not yet been positively identified. An autopsy will be scheduled in the next few days.

Deputies also are attempting to locate two individuals, 16-year-old Benito Marquez and 21-year-old Jonathan Adamson, who they believe may have more information about the case.

The missing boy identified as Eastman had planned to meet a friend Saturday evening, but the friend, also 16, told deputies Eastman never showed up.

On Thursday afternoon, deputies and detectives searching for Eastman found the body in a shallow grave on property off Cispus Road that belonged to the friend’s relative.

“It is unknown at this time if the discovery of this gravesite and body are connected to the missing juvenile,” according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at 360-748-9286.

This story was originally published June 29, 2018 at 7:43 AM.