the camp stove, fully assembled, were also in plain view, and the carton of milk Richard had purchased earlier that morning sat on the table, half-full. Unable to locate her daughter, son-in-law, or grandchildren, Belinda's mother panicked when she noticed several items belonging to Richard lying on the ground: These included an expensive wristwatch as well as his wallet, which contained $21 (); she also found an opened pack of cigarettes, which she identified as being the brand Belinda was known to smoke. The family's truck, which was parked on the road, still contained their clothing, with only their bathing suits missing. Belinda's mother left the campground to notify police, after which the sheriff, troopers, and the District 3 Office of the Oregon State Police arrived at the scene. Lieutenant Mark Kezar who headed the case would later state that the investigation had been "delayed for maybe a day" because of the lack of indication that anything violent may have occurred at the campsite. A state trooper, Officer Erickson, recalled: "That camp was spooky; even the milk was still on the table." The following morning, the Cowdens' pet Basset Hound, Droopy, was found scratching at the front door of the Copper General Store. Search efforts The search investigation for the Cowden family was one of the largest in Oregon history, and included assistance from state and local police, numerous volunteers, Explorer Scouts, the United States Forest Service, and the Oregon National Guard. The U.S. Forest Service searched of roads and trails surrounding the campsite, and helicopters and planes were flown over the area equipped with infrared photography, which would detect recently overturned dirt. Despite massive search efforts, law enforcement was unable to find any evidence of a crime. The Oregon State Police and Jackson County Police conducted interviews with over 150 individuals in their early investigation into the family's disappearance. A $2,000 reward () was offered in exchange for information regarding the family's disappearance. With the impending hunting season, Richard Cowden's sister wrote a letter to the Medford Mail Tribune, pleading that hunters be alert to "anything that could be connected to a man, woman, a five-year-old child, or a five-month-old baby. Even though we try not to let our hopes dwindle that they will be found alive, we ask that you will even check freshly turned piles of earth. We will truly appreciate any clue or help that some