On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at approximately 6:26 p.m., the Klamath Falls Police Department responded to a reported assault at the Ewauna Apartments, located at 219 South 11th Street in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Klamath 911 dispatch advised that a reporting party’s friend had been assaulted by a male. The victim was identified as Joe Dane, age 55, who was last seen in the alleyway near the apartment complex.
Witnesses reported seeing a suspicious male running from the area near where the assault occurred. The male was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue hooded vest, a gray sweater, black Vans shoes, and blue gloves.
The victim sustained life-threatening injuries because of the assault and was immediately transported to Sky Lakes Medical Center. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transported to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The Klamath County Major Crime Team was activated, and the case was escalated to a homicide investigation.
A suspect was identified and arrested without incident on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The suspect was identified as Jorge Deleon, age 37, of Tulelake, California. He was lodged at the Klamath County Jail on charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
The Klamath Falls Police Department would like to thank the public, our community partners, the California Highway Patrol, and the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation. The Klamath County Major Crime Team consists of members from the Klamath Falls Police Department, the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, the Oregon State Police, and the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to reference KFPD Case #2026-01130070 and contact the Klamath Falls Police Department at 541-883-5336 or the KFPD Tip Line at 541-883-5334.
Media Contact:
Captain Rob Reynolds
