Found Deceased OR - Zack Brenneman, 16, Endangered, last seen West Salem HS football game, Salem, 16 Sept 2022

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SALEM Ore. (KPTV) - Police are investigating the disappearance of a teenager from Salem.

16-year-old Zack Brenneman was last seen at a West Salem High School football game on Friday, Sep. 16.

Angela Hedrick, communications director with the City of Salem confirmed to FOX 12 on Tuesday that the teen was considered endangered but the case was not being considered a criminal investigation.

Police did not release any further information, because they said the case involves a minor.

A post by the teen’s mother on Facebook described Zack as 5′8″ tall, weighing roughly 120 pounds. Last seen wearing black jeans, a black shirt, a black jacket, and dark blue shoes.

If anyone sees Brenneman or knows of their whereabouts they are urged to call the Salem police department at 503-588-6123 and reference case number 22-20902.
 
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I know quite a bit about high school football since I have worked games on Friday nights for years. It usually takes about 3 hours to play a varsity game so the West Salem game may not have been over by 9pm.
Usually during half-time, the marching band will take the field for a performance, so I wonder if Zach participated in something like that and then wasn't seen after? The timing would be just about right. Most high school bands stay together in the stands and play during the first half of the game, then they go to the field to do their half-time performance, and during the 3rd quarter, they are free to take a break. Band members tend to use that time to take a restroom break, go speak to family and friends, and visit the concession stand. Then, just before the 4th quarter, they return to their places and continue playing in support of the team for the rest of the game.
I wonder if authorities have reviewed surveillance from the football stadium. If he exited before the game was over, they would surely be able to see that. Gates are closely monitored and most stadiums only have a few locations to both enter and exit games. Officers are stationed at or near each one throughout the game, or this has been my experience.
Most schools now have a no-bag or clear-bag-only policy and they make use of handheld metal detectors. These effort make it more difficult to slip anything nefarious through the gates.

I'm hoping Zach is ok but I'm concerned for him.

If you want a peek at the stadium on the very night when Zach was last seen, you can take a look at this highlight reel from MaxPreps. West Salem played North Medford and lost 35-14. It's easy to see that the games this time of year start off in full sunlight, but end when it's dark.

North Medford High School (OR) Varsity Football
 
Last edited by a moderator:
<modsnip>

I know quite a bit about high school football since I have worked games on Friday nights for years. It usually takes about 3 hours to play a varsity game so the West Salem game may not have been over by 9pm.
Usually during half-time, the marching band will take the field for a performance, so I wonder if Zach participated in something like that and then wasn't seen after? The timing would be just about right. Most high school bands stay together in the stands and play during the first half of the game, then they go to the field to do their half-time performance, and during the 3rd quarter, they are free to take a break. Band members tend to use that time to take a restroom break, go speak to family and friends, and visit the concession stand. Then, just before the 4th quarter, they return to their places and continue playing in support of the team for the rest of the game.
I wonder if authorities have reviewed surveillance from the football stadium. If he exited before the game was over, they would surely be able to see that. Gates are closely monitored and most stadiums only have a few locations to both enter and exit games. Officers are stationed at or near each one throughout the game, or this has been my experience.
Most schools now have a no-bag or clear-bag-only policy and they make use of handheld metal detectors. These effort make it more difficult to slip anything nefarious through the gates.

I'm hoping Zach is ok but I'm concerned for him.

If you want a peek at the stadium on the very night when Zach was last seen, you can take a look at this highlight reel from MaxPreps. West Salem played North Medford and lost 35-14. It's easy to see that the games this time of year start off in full sunlight, but end when it's dark.

North Medford High School (OR) Varsity Football
Thanks for the insight. In regards to Zack being in the marching band, I would think (imo) that he would have been in a band uniform if he were performing. The report indicates he was last seen wearing black jeans, a black shirt, a black jacket, and dark blue shoes. Not to say he couldn't have changed, but then he's missing with his instrument, uniform, etc.
 
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Thanks for the insight. In regards to Zack being in the marching band, I would think (imo) that he would have been in a band uniform if he were performing. The report indicates he was last seen wearing black jeans, a black shirt, a black jacket, and dark blue shoes. Not to say he couldn't have changed, but then he's missing with his instrument, uniform, etc.

That's a good point.
I wonder if the West Salem band ever performs in their street clothes? I know our bands do this from time to time.

I wish we knew more so we could have a better understanding about how Zack arrived at the game and how he was supposed to return home. It would be great to know what mood he was in that night or if he was seen talking with anyone.
 
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That's a good point.
I wonder if the West Salem band ever performs in their street clothes? I know our bands do this from time to time.

I wish we knew more so we could have a better understanding about how Zack arrived at the game and how he was supposed to return home. It would be great to know what mood he was in that night or if he was seen talking with anyone.
I was looking at the videos from the game and I don't see the band in any of them, not even in the stands. So I think Zack must have been attending, not playing, somewhere in the stands or possibly in the grass surrounding the field. There's been some activity on a Fox news post about a potential sighting ~50 miles away, so hopefully there's some leverage to that.
 
Still missing...

SEP 25, 2022
[...]

The family has not given any interviews, but issued the following statement to local media: “We greatly appreciate our local community and everything they have done for Zack. We also appreciate the hard work and dedication that Salem PD has shown towards finding Zack. We can’t give enough thanks to everyone, for sharing and posting the flyers throughout town, social media, and regions beyond our local communities.”

In an email to parents and other community members, West Salem High School Principal Carlos Ruiz explained that staff had searched the campus building and continue to work with the district safety team and police. He added that counselors were available to students who needed support.

Hedrick said people with information about this case or Zack’s whereabouts should contact the Salem Police Department at (503) 588-6123 and mention case number 22-20902. The family also has posted an email to reach them at findzackb@gmail.com.
 
Still missing...

SEP 25, 2022
[...]

The family has not given any interviews, but issued the following statement to local media: “We greatly appreciate our local community and everything they have done for Zack. We also appreciate the hard work and dedication that Salem PD has shown towards finding Zack. We can’t give enough thanks to everyone, for sharing and posting the flyers throughout town, social media, and regions beyond our local communities.”

In an email to parents and other community members, West Salem High School Principal Carlos Ruiz explained that staff had searched the campus building and continue to work with the district safety team and police. He added that counselors were available to students who needed support.

Hedrick said people with information about this case or Zack’s whereabouts should contact the Salem Police Department at (503) 588-6123 and mention case number 22-20902. The family also has posted an email to reach them at findzackb@gmail.com.

I'm saddened the statement didn't contain any comments directly to Zack, such as, "We miss you. Please come home."
I do hope he will soon be located safe and sound.
 
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coco
 
Found deceased. No signs of foul play.

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - The teen who went missing Sept 16 after a high school football game was found dead in a waterway, according to the Salem Police Department.

Officers were called to the area of the Willamette River on Northwest Wallace Road about a report of a body in the waterway. The body matched the description of the missing teenager Zackary Brenneman.

 
Found deceased. No signs of foul play.

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - The teen who went missing Sept 16 after a high school football game was found dead in a waterway, according to the Salem Police Department.

Officers were called to the area of the Willamette River on Northwest Wallace Road about a report of a body in the waterway. The body matched the description of the missing teenager Zackary Brenneman.


Heartbreaking.
 

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