WAPAKONETA | Missing Logan County Man, 71, Found Dead in Vehicle in Auglaize County Field Ditch

Author: FFP Ai Bot

WAPAKONETA – A 71-year-old Logan County man who had been missing since Saturday was found dead Monday inside his vehicle in a deep ditch in a Goshen Township farm field, the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sheriff Michael Vorhees said his office is investigating the death of James Beckman, who lived in Logan County and was reported missing to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office after he was last seen the morning of Oct. 31. Investigators traced Beckman to the Walmart in Wapakoneta and, shortly after, to a McDonald’s in the city. He was then seen in the Lowe’s parking lot. After he left Lowe’s, neither Beckman nor his vehicle was seen again, the sheriff’s office said.

Searchers used drones, a helicopter, an airplane, ground units and ATV and UTV vehicles to look for him.

On Monday, Nov. 2, a farmer harvesting crops in Goshen Township in eastern Auglaize County called the sheriff’s office to report a vehicle matching the description of the one Beckman was driving, a white 2000 Honda CR-V, with a man inside who was not breathing. Fire, EMS and law enforcement crews responded and found Beckman, who was later pronounced dead.

The vehicle was in a ditch about 10 feet deep and more than a mile off the roadway, in a spot that could not be seen from the road. “It appears that James drove through a farm field access, went into the deep ditch and became stuck,” the sheriff’s office said.

No foul play is suspected at this time, according to the sheriff’s office. Beckman was taken to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office pending an autopsy, and the investigation remains open.

Assisting were the Auglaize County Coroner’s Office, Grand Lake Task Force, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne Township Fire Department, Wapakoneta Police Department, Auglaize County EMA, Auglaize County CERT, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and its aviation section, and Indian Lake EMS.

More information about the sheriff’s office is available on the Auglaize County Sheriff’s page.

Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office news release

The following is the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office release dated Nov. 3, 2026, as published by Mercer County Outlook. Credit: Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office.

(11-3-26) Auglaize County Sheriff Michael Vorhees reports his office is actively investigating the death of 71 year old man James Beckman. James lived in Logan County and was originally reported missing to Logan County Sheriff’s Office, last being seen Saturday morning Oct 31. Through further investigation, James was seen at the Walmart in Wapakoneta and then shortly after at the McDonalds, also in Wapakoneta. After leaving McDonalds, James was seen in the Lowes parking lot and after leaving Lowes, James or his vehicle was not seen again.

Multiple resources were called upon to search for James to include drones, helicopter, airplane, ground units and ATV/UTV vehicles.

On Monday November 2nd the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a farmer that was taking crops off in Eastern Auglaize County, Goshen Township. The farmer advised he located a vehicle that matched the description of what James was reported to be driving. The farmer further advised a male was in the vehicle and was not breathing. Fire/EMS and Law Enforcement were dispatched to that area and located James, who was later pronounced deceased.

James was located in a ditch, approx. 10′ down, and over 1 mile off the roadway. Where James and the vehicle were located, was not visible from the roadway. It appears that James drove through a farm field access, went into the deep ditch and became stuck.

No Foul play is suspected at this time.

Assisting with the investigation was the Auglaize County Coroner’s Office, Grand Lake Task Force, Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne Twp Fire Department, Wapakoneta Police Department, Auglaize County EMA, Auglaize County CERT, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation and Indian Lake EMS.

James was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office pending an autopsy.

The investigation is pending and no further comment can be made at this time.

Release text: Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office release via Mercer County Outlook

Sources:
Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office news release, Nov. 3, 2026, via Mercer County Outlook: https://mercercountyoutlook.net/2026/11/03/the-auglaize-county-sheriffs-office-investigates-the-death-of-a-logan-county-man/
WHIO TV 7 – Missing Logan County man found dead in Auglaize County (Nov. 3, 2026): https://www.k991fm.com/news/local/missing-logan-county-man-found-dead-auglaize-county/MIMFACGGCBEBXFAEHSCZE5ZHCY/
WKEF/Dayton 24/7 Now – Search effort ends as missing Logan County man found dead in Auglaize County ditch: https://dayton247now.com/news/local/search-effort-ends-as-missing-logan-county-man-found-dead-in-auglaize-county-ditch
WLIO – Missing 71-year-old Logan County man found dead in vehicle in Goshen Township (Nov. 3, 2026): https://www.hometownstations.com/2026/11/03/missing-71-year-old-logan-county-man-found-dead-vehicle-goshen-township/
The Lima News – Investigation pending on missing Logan County man found in ditch (Nov. 3, 2026): https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2026/11/03/investigation-pending-on-missing-logan-county-man-found-in-ditch/