Search Halted for Missing Forest Grove Man, Tilak Sharma, After Extensive Efforts Yield No Clues

The diligent search for 61-year-old Tilak Sharma, who vanished from his Forest Grove home on May 19, has reached a poignant crossroads. Forest Grove Police have announced the difficult decision to suspend active ground and air operations, a move that comes after an exhaustive multi-agency effort yielded no trace of the missing man.

Sharma was last seen departing his residence around 6:00 a.m.

that fateful Saturday. His disappearance quickly prompted concern, and the discovery of his 2007 gray Toyota RAV4 (Oregon license plate 627 DMZ) provided a critical, yet ultimately frustrating, clue. The vehicle was located in a remote, challenging area near Northrup Creek within the vast expanse of the Oregon Coast Range, south of Mist, setting the stage for an intensive but ultimately unrewarding search.

The subsequent rescue operation was nothing short of monumental, involving a dedicated alliance of emergency services and volunteer organizations.

Teams from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police, Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, and numerous other agencies converged on the rugged landscape. Their efforts were comprehensive, deploying specialized ground teams, highly trained K9 units, advanced drone technology, and ATVs to scour every possible lead.

However, the terrain itself became a formidable adversary.

Searchers navigated through unforgivingly steep hills, dense undergrowth, and challenging wilderness conditions, often requiring ropes and specialized equipment to access certain areas. Despite these heroic efforts and the sheer scale of the resources deployed over several days, no signs of Tilak Sharma were found within the meticulously searched perimeters.

Following a thorough assessment of all available information and the extent of the search, authorities made the somber determination to transition from an active search to an ongoing missing person investigation.

While the immediate ground operations have concluded, the case remains open, and investigators continue to pursue any new information that may surface.

The Forest Grove Police Department has ensured that Sharma's family has been kept informed throughout this challenging period. They continue to urge the public to remain vigilant.

Anyone who believes they have seen Tilak Sharma or has information regarding his whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact the Forest Grove Police Department at 503-629-0111. Every piece of information, no matter how small, could prove vital in bringing him home.