The Cowdens headed to the Siskiyou Mountains and set up at the Rogue River National Forest Campground. At 9 a.m. on September 1, Richard Cowden and his son walked to the Copper General Store located near the town of Copper, Oregon, to purchase milk, and they were seen heading back to the campsite, as reported by Mysterious Universe. That was the last time they were seen alive.
That same night, the Cowdens had plans to have dinner with Belinda’s mother before they headed home. Her home was located less than a mile from the campgrounds, and when her daughter and her family failed to arrive at dinnertime, she decided to go to the campsite to check on them. According to Strange Outdoors, Belinda’s mother didn’t find anyone at the campsite upon her arrival. However, some of the Cowdens’ belongings were still there. Belinda’s purse was on a picnic table, a carton of milk that Richard bought at the store was left half full, and Richard’s wallet and watch were on the ground. There wasn’t anything particularly disturbing about the scene, except for the absence of the entire family.
