Local News

Remains Discovered Monday Believed Missing Twisp Man

Apr 22, 2014

Around noon Monday, Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow received a call from his family that their dog had just brought home a human skull.

Budrow, who lives approximately four miles south of Twisp on Hwy 153, responded to his home along with Deputies from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Frank Rogers said after several hours of searching along the river the rest of the remains were discovered. He said they were located approximately four miles south of Twisp and approximately 100 yards in from the Methow River.

The Sheriff said “from the evidence we found at the scene we believe the remains are that of 21-year-old Nicholas A. Tortora, of Twisp.” Tortora was reported missing by his family in June of 2012. The family reported that Tortora was despondent when he left the residence and the family wasn’t sure where he had gone or what he was going to do. Rogers said “They also believed that he may had gone back to New Mexico, where had been living.”

Rogers said at the time Deputies and searchers were not sure where Tortora had gone but a cell phone ping came up showing that he was in the Twisp area. He said the cell phone ping showed he may be near Look Out Mountain which was approximately 5 miles Northwest of where the remains were located yesterday. He said searchers looked for days but with no clear area to search at the time, the search was called off.

Rogers said “It is believed that the remains found yesterday are those of Tortora.” They were located approximately half a mile south of his residence in a heavily wooded area. He said, “Nothing at the scene or what we know now indicates any foul play in this case.”

The family has been notified. The Sheriff said the remains will be sent off for positive identification.