Dustin Self Family And Friends Can Finally Have Closure

Human remains found in the Oregon woods are believed to be that of a missing Piedmont teenager.

Saturday, October 25th 2014, 5:59 pm

By: News 9


Human remains found in the Oregon woods are believed to be that of a missing Piedmont teenager.

Dustin Self was reported missing last April, after he told family he wanted to live a life in the wilderness.

4/22/2013 Related Story: Parents Of 'Into The Wild' Teen Return To Oklahoma, Crews Halt Search

Those that knew Dustin said they feel they can finally have closure.

“Glad there's an answer, to it, not necessarily the answer they were hoping for," said Vice Principal of Piedmont High School, Clay McDonald.

Piedmont Vice Principal Clay McDonald knew 19-year old Dustin Self as a determined kid.

"If he was going to go do it and wants to do it he'll go do it and was usually pretty successful at whatever he wanted to put his mind to," said McDonald, who taught Dustin for three years.

McDonald had hoped that would be the case when Dustin told friends and family he wanted to live off the grid, just like the book made movie “Into the Wild.”

Longing for an adventure of his own, Dustin traveled to the woods of Harney County, Oregon in the state's southeast corner.

There was where Dustin planned to live off the land, something McDonald thought Dustin was doing when he was first reported missing by his parents April of 2013.

"As Dustin put it he wanted to go off the grid, so you hoped and that's just what you prayed for that he really did go off the grid and he just disappeared on his own and that's what he wanted," said McDonald.

But now McDonald and the rest Dustin's friends and family said they know that may not be the case.

"Anybody that you know especially one of your former students, it's just sad for your community and for your school and I'm obviously sad for his family," said McDonald.

The remains are currently with the Oregon Medical Examiner for further investigation.
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