October 10, 2001 -  Detective Matt Keetle points out where the body of a murdered McKenzie Bridge man was discovered.

           MCKENZIE BRIDGE: Deputies returned to the scene of a September 23 murder on Sunday, stopping traffic and handing out flyers to motorists. The two hour effort occurred from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, the same time investigators believe Henry Guelld was shot and killed three weeks earlier while tending his tomato patch.
           On the scene last Monday, detective Matt Keetle said the sheriff's office is looking for information from people who might have observed something they consider unusual or relevant to the case. Police are asking about any suspicious vehicles or people, as well as reports of gunshots fired during that time frame.

           Keetle said, Guelld, 70, had been hit by two .22 caliber bullets that were fired from a range of five feet or more. No shell casings were found at the scene and it hasn't been determined whether a rifle or a pistol was used in the attack.
           A neighbor, Larry Korthof, had given Guelld permission to grow his plants in a sunny spot along Korthof's driveway. When he found him lying face down he rushed to the McKenzie Bridge Store to call 9-1-1 for help, thinking the older man  had suffered a heart attack. During their examination, medics from EASE discovered Guelld had been shot in the chest.
           Keetle said the fatal bullet severed an artery near his heart but it was possible he may have taken a few steps before falling. Guelld's body was found in the grass about 20 feet south of the garden patch, where his watering hose was still running.

           Reports of two earlier disturbances in the area were ruled out in connection with the shooting. Detectives have identified another neighbor as a "person of interest" but not as a suspect in the killing. Keetle said it appeared Guelld was "a very peaceful guy, except for this one incident with this fellow."
      Korthoff agreed, saying the retired International Harvester and auto assembly line worker had been an asset to the community. He described Guelld as being in great physical shape and was well liked. "I'm sure he never saw who it was," Korthof said. "He wasn't the type to walk up and confront anyone."

           The shooting has made a lot of upriver people uneasy. "An unsolved murder in McKenzie Bridge is not something we want to live with, especially a bushwhacking," Korthof said. "He lived here for two and a half years. You couldn't find a better neighbor."
           People with information they believe might help police are advised to call the Lane County Sheriff's Office at 682-4141.

Text and photos: Mckenzie River Reflections      (C) 2001  Reprinted by permission