Police continue investigating body found south of Bandon, believed to be missing boater

BANDON, Ore. -- A body was found on the beach south of Bandon Tuesday morning in the China Creek area of the beach, Coos County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

Deputies say the man's body was unidentifiable and partially decomposed from exposure to the elements for an extended period of time.

They say they believe it's 48-year-old Stephen C. Navarro of Coos Bay. He was reported missing last month.

"There was some clothing items and stuff that were distinctive for both the person that we found and Navarro when he was missing,” Coos County Sheriff’s Sgt. Pat Downing said. “Some of those things were close, so it kind of makes me right now think that it could possibly be him."

On November 15, deputies say they got a call that Navarro and his friend, Steven Robeson Jr., had been in a canoe when it tipped over near Empire.

Deputies believe the caller was Robeson, who said Navarro was last seen clutching the side of the boat.

"It would be the right location if somebody had gone missing in the bay, with the tides, and especially with the high tides with the moon effect that we've had ... could easily end up south, down in the Bandon area," said Downing.

Deputies say they are still waiting for confirmation of the identity pending DNA and a dental comparison.

Officials say there is no indication of foul play, but that Robeson is still a person of interest in the investigation.

They say he has outstanding warrants and they would like to question him further.