PORT ANGELES — It remains unknown whether an autopsy will be conducted to discover the cause of death of Robert “Bob” Goss, a 78-year-old man who was found dead after he had been missing for six days.
Goss’ body was found just outside his car at the far south end of River Road on Saturday.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney and Coroner Deb Kelly said Tuesday she is waiting to hear back from his family before making that decision.
Goss went missing the morning of Feb. 28 after he drove from his Agnew home. He was found dead — apparently from natural causes — outside a Grand Cherokee Laredo where the road ends about three miles south of Sequim.
The vehicle was not stuck, but it could not be started, said Ron Cameron, chief criminal deputy with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Either it was out of gas or its battery was dead, he said.
Goss appeared to have been dead for most of the time he was missing, Undersheriff Ron Peregrin said Saturday.
No nearby residents reported seeing him until people on a walk found him Saturday, Cameron said.
The Sheriff’s Office is considering the case closed since there remains no indication of foul play, he said.
Goss, who had dementia, is believed to have gotten lost. It was the first time he had driven in a year, said his sister and caretaker, Mary Ann Hudson.
Leaving the home was out of character for Goss, who took his sister’s car, Hudson said. She believes he may have left to buy Coca-Cola, his favorite drink, or go for just one more drive.
Hudson said earlier this week she didn’t “particularly want an autopsy” since there was no sign of foul play.
“If it was a stroke or hypothermia, it’s not going to make it any different,” she said Sunday.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
