OR KAYLEE BIRT: Missing from Fields, OR (while on road trip from Oregon to Iowa) - 4 April 2025 - Age 29

https://amp.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/national/article304018456.html

29-year-old on solo trip across US leaves burger joint and vanishes, OR cops say​

A 29-year-old vanished on a solo trip across the country after she last seen leaving a burger joint in Oregon, deputies said.

Kaylee Birt disappeared April 4, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office said in a release.

Birt left the The Fields Station in her gold 2008 Chevy Malibu with an Oregon license plate of GW21073, deputies said.

The Fields Station is a restaurant, store, motel and gas station in Fields, which is a remote and unincorporated community in southeastern Oregon.

She was headed to Iowa, deputies said, but her vehicle was discovered abandoned April 6 in a remote part of Harney County in Oregon, deputies said.

Deputies said they determined a location where her cell phone last pinged, and they searched the area but couldn’t find her.

Search teams looked for her for seven days by “air, ground, UTV, drone, foot and horseback,” deputies said.

However, authority-led search efforts ended April 10.

“The Sheriff’s Office will post signage near Kaylee’s last known location, informing visitors to the area to be vigilant of any potential evidence,” deputies said.


Media - KAYLEE BIRT: Missing from Fields, OR (while on road trip from Oregon to Iowa) - 4 April 2025 - Age 29

 

[Regina]

I'm the type who loved to take back roads and such in my life but if headed somewhere on one's own? That's a bit of a different story. I guess I would possibly in a several county area during the day, but again I was just driving, not having to get somewhere. I'd never be doing it if there were still flood issues, that's for sure.

Nothing has been said that it was a detour so I'd say that's out.

If my ex and I were traveling together, I'd get out the physical Atlas or area book and find back roads. I find interstate driving very boring. However, again, I had someone with me, not a very old car, and even then, the next town would be within how many miles generally and again, we were just taking time, didn't have to be somewhere at a certain time.

Lol he never knew how to travel taking time when I met him. He was just the opposite. At least when we were on a trip.

Maybe she was the type to take time and stop off but there are things indicating otherwise, like that she would be back in a few days.

I guess who knows. Maybe she wanted to hike, take time, do back roads. Maybe she was lost. She apparently called her mom and said she was lost and scared. Authorities were called too by the farmer. What was done about it, I'd still like to know?

I know we'd both like to know more about the cell tower info. Like you, I've never heard of a post-dated ping.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It explains why she stopped but doesn't explain why she was there in th first place and makes twice that we know of that she was way off track from where she should have been.

This whole thing is confusing. She also apparently called her mother at midnight and said she was scared and lost, yet we hear her phone didn't work right where she was, so where was that from that she called with the phone working? If it worked, then her GPS would work if she used such no? And yes, why was she off track two times?

Pretty hard to know what to think here yet imo. I also don't know why she'd leave all her things in her car like her phone for instance. Who leaves anything valuable in their vehicle these days? I sure don't.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I know we'd both like to know more about the cell tower info. Like you, I've never heard of a post-dated ping.

Yeah, that's weird, made me wonder if there is such a thing but why would they say such if not so I guess it must be the case...

I'd like to know more about a lot of things. There is nothing much here to even add 2 and 2 to figure anything.

 

[Kimster]

Someone probably said this already because I’m kind of late in the game, but if she was relying on her car navigation system, they don’t work very well out in the eastern Oregon boondocks. In fact, mine went kaputt just east of Salem.

 

[Kimster]

This whole thing is confusing. She also apparently called her mother at midnight and said she was scared and lost, yet we hear her phone didn't work right where she was, so where was that from that she called with the phone working? If it worked, then her GPS would work if she used such no? And yes, why was she off track two times?

Pretty hard to know what to think here yet imo. I also don't know why she'd leave all her things in her car like her phone for instance. Who leaves anything valuable in their vehicle these days? I sure don't.

People leave valuables in their cars all the time in Oregon. Car theft happens in the Portland area, but not as much anywhere else. Our local law-enforcement keeps reminding people to quit putting their firearms in their cars and leaving them unlocked. I know people that leave their doors unlocked all the time. I tell them not to do it, but they do it anyway.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Someone probably said this already because I’m kind of late in the game, but if she was relying on her car navigation system, they don’t work very well out in the eastern Oregon boondocks. In fact, mine went kaputt just east of Salem.

Her car is a 2008, I'd think it more likely she was using phone GPS if anything. That's what my kids use and their vehicles are much newer than that. My mom's is very new and she uses phone as well. I'm archaic and behind, I don't use GPS lol.

 

[GrandmaBear]

People leave valuables in their cars all the time in Oregon. Car theft happens in the Portland area, but not as much anywhere else. Our local law-enforcement keeps reminding people to quit putting their firearms in their cars and leaving them unlocked. I know people that leave their doors unlocked all the time. I tell them not to do it, but they do it anyway.

Yeah, I guess its debatable. I don't and I lock mine. Now a few decades ago I left it unlocked all of the time but not leaving anything valuable in it. Heck I used to leave the keys in it and figure if anyone wanted it, I was insured lol. She was though not in her normal area, on an offbeat road, and one would think she'd have at least taken her phone with her. We can only guess of course if that's likely or not. Unless she went off to pee but one wouldn't go far enough to get lost for that imo? Even if the phone wasn't getting great reception I'd have taken mine with say if going to hike or camp as they can be hit and miss and there is always the chance you can be found by pings, etc.

It's just frustrating as it just doesn't add up. Wouldn't be the first case not to though. Sigh.

 

[Guess Who]

People leave valuables in their cars all the time in Oregon. Car theft happens in the Portland area, but not as much anywhere else. Our local law-enforcement keeps reminding people to quit putting their firearms in their cars and leaving them unlocked. I know people that leave their doors unlocked all the time. I tell them not to do it, but they do it anyway.

My mom doesn't lock anything up. She locks her front door at night but not when they leave. So aggravating

 

[Regina]

This whole thing is confusing. She also apparently called her mother at midnight and said she was scared and lost, yet we hear her phone didn't work right where she was, so where was that from that she called with the phone working? If it worked, then her GPS would work if she used such no? And yes, why was she off track two times?

Pretty hard to know what to think here yet imo. I also don't know why she'd leave all her things in her car like her phone for instance. Who leaves anything valuable in their vehicle these days? I sure don't.

Well, I'm not confused about anything, I'd just like to know more about the cell tower info / ping...

 

[GrandmaBear]

My mom doesn't lock anything up. She locks her front door at night but not when they leave. So aggravating

Mine does despite when we were growing up we didn't lock anything and it was just that way then in our neck of the woods, no reason to worry.

She isn't even in that bit of a city (about 8,000) but she locks up. Not just at night. Of course during the day if a nice day she may have the patio door open and such but only when home, she locks up if she leaves at all. I'm thankful for that, I would worry too. And it's a very low crime, unlikely anything would happen place but you just should and do, and older and alone, most definitely. I do.

Everyone is different though. I mean I didn't used to a few decades ago, even living in the same small city. I left it open while working, my car too, rarely locking. I do though these days. You learn the world isn't the same though as years before.

This girl is 29, and was alone from what we know. Out of her own area...

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, I'm not confused about anything, I'd just like to know more about the cell tower info / ping...

Why am I not surprised lol. So you have it figured out? That's what i mean. There aren't any definites here really.

 

[RoundPeg]

I'm pasting some posts from the FB page. Bear with me, please. Posted 1 day ago.

###

Immediate family have hiked approximately 18 miles in the last 2 days. Theyll start out again today They did locate tracks that weren’t on the SAR search map, but weren’t in any organized manner. She’s been wandering.
Lindsey’s search verified tracks that showed she came down from the mountain from the lean to area.
Fowlers have not yet arrived. We have another family member arriving today who is an experienced hiker and acclimated to higher elevations.
Unfortunately that’s all I’ve got for an update. As always, please continue to pray for the safety of Kaylee & all the volunteers & family out searching

John M. Novak , I’ve see the lean to mentioned in comments. Is it an actual building, or what does it refer too? Is it visible on google earth?

Yes I think it's just south of her tracks about 4 miles above where she left her car. It looks more like a dugout Peak roof to me or maybe rock walls and roof. Hard to tell exactly. Location lat 42.118849 - lon 118.277122 Picture.

Note: there is no picture attached.

 

[RoundPeg]

13 hours ago:

The Fowler-O’Sullivan Foundation (Fowler-O'Sullivan Foundation – Assisting Families of Missing Hikers) should be on site on Monday. The volunteer team will be back this weekend. The family has hiked & searched roughly 25 miles of this difficult terrain. It is with heavy hearts that the family is returning to Iowa. We are forced to leave Kaylee in Gods hands, and in the capable hands of the experienced SAR teams. Again, if you would like to join the search, please reach out and we will put you in contact with the search coordinator we’ve selected in our absence. We are so incredibly grateful for the local volunteers, and staff at the denio junction, motel, cabin owner in Fields, and Feilds station for all the hospitality and prayers!

Please continue to pray with us that she will be found soon!

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'm pasting some posts from the FB page. Bear with me, please.

###

Immediate family have hiked approximately 18 miles in the last 2 days. Theyll start out again today They did locate tracks that weren’t on the SAR search map, but weren’t in any organized manner. She’s been wandering.
Lindsey’s search verified tracks that showed she came down from the mountain from the lean to area.
Fowlers have not yet arrived. We have another family member arriving today who is an experienced hiker and acclimated to higher elevations.
Unfortunately that’s all I’ve got for an update. As always, please continue to pray for the safety of Kaylee & all the volunteers & family out searching

John M. Novak , I’ve see the lean to mentioned in comments. Is it an actual building, or what does it refer too? Is it visible on google earth?

Yes I think it's just south of her tracks about 4 miles above where she left her car. It looks more like a dugout Peak roof to me or maybe rock walls and roof. Hard to tell exactly. Location lat 42.118849 - lon 118.277122 Picture.

Note: there is no picture attached.

Sorry, I'm lost. Are they saying they have found tracks of HERS? And that she was wandering? And that she was up the mountain and came down at some point? I didn't know there was ansy sign of her or proof of such.

I'm interested, just didn't realize there was any trail, etc. or evidence of her.

 

[RoundPeg]

11 hours ago.

As the family is driving away….a symbol of Gods promises to each of us! The vibrancy of this rainbow is so Kaylee. She has always had such a light in her & this rainbow….it just takes our breath away! ❤

 

[RoundPeg]

Sorry, I'm lost. Are they saying they have found tracks of HERS? And that she was wandering? And that she was up the mountain and came down at some point? I didn't know there was ansy sign of her or proof of such.

I'm interested, just didn't realize there was any trail, etc. or evidence of her.

They found her footprints from the beginning, even before the family arrived. Their posts are not easy to follow. Sounds like they found some additional ones. I'm thoroughly confused as I don’t know how she can be alive almost 2 weeks after she went missing.

 

[GrandmaBear]

They found her footprints from the beginning, even before the family arrived. Their posts are not easy to follow. Sounds like they found some additional ones. I'm thoroughly confused as I don’t know how she can be alive almost 2 weeks after she went missing.

Well if it was voluntary, she sure could be alive and this almost makes it sound as if it well could be voluntary, intentional. I haven't went there yet but all is open imo. The foot prints sure add if all hers. So then they all went home and talk of a rainbow and so on.

Yeah it sounds confusing.