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View Full Version : Help Find Kenneth Johnson Missing Since June 21, 2015 in Monticello Utah Area



ganphx
06-26-2015, 11:32 AM
Kanab man is missing after visiting archeological sites

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Kenneth Johnson followed his passion for petroglyphs to the rural corners of San Juan County, looking for the old Native American markings.

But on Sunday, he went missing. Searchers from eight agencies combed the vast southeastern desert for Johnson, trying to retrace his steps to the rock art sites and flying a plane across the “massive” county looking for him or his dark blue Jeep Liberty, said sheriff’s office Sgt. Joe Harris.

“Our county is massive. There’s so much of it that is just so difficult to even get to,” Harris said. After several fruitless days, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office asked on Thursday morning that anyone with information about Johnson’s whereabouts to call them at 435-587-2237.

He hasn’t used his credit card since Sunday morning; his last known location was Monticello. Verizon has tried to ping Johnson’s cell, to no avail.

Though the 69-year-old lives in Kanab with his wife, the sheriff’s office doesn’t believe he is a stranger to the area. He and his wife have driven to San Juan County to view petroglyphs before.

“It sounds like he did a lot of research on all the sites,” Harris said. But there are “literally hundreds” of petroglyphs scattered throughout San Juan County and its neighbors, Harris said.

“There are some areas up around Moab, some that are popular with tourists ... but his wife indicated that he would rather go to remote sites that had few people than bigger, popular sites where there would be a lot of people,” Harris said. “… We’ve used a lot of resources and a lot of man hours [to search] massive, massive amounts of square miles.”

Johnson did have a hand-held GPS with him, as well as camping gear and food. If the retired Marine is injured or stranded, Harris figures he would have enough to survive for almost two weeks.

“Because of the trip and his last know whereabouts, we tentatively think he may be in the northern part of the county … or southern Grand County,” Harris said. He may possibly be in the western side of Colorado, too, the sergeant added.

Johnson is described as 5-foot-10, about 185 pounds, with brown eyes and gray hair, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

He was driving a dark blue 2006 Jeep Liberty with a roof rack and a long, narrow carrier compartment, according to the sheriff’s office. Its UTAH license plate is X042LM.

ganphx
06-27-2015, 03:32 PM
Ken Johnson's car has been found on the road to Davis Canyon, south of Moab, south of Hwy 211 close to the boundary of Canyonlands. Actual location is about 1/2 mile from the park boundary.

ganphx
06-27-2015, 03:41 PM
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Rick Eldredge Monticello, Utah 84535

Press Release:

DATE OF INCIDENT – 06/27/2015 TIME- 3 pm
LOCATION- Davis Canyon area near Canyonlands National Park in San Juan County, Utah
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Missing person/lost hiker found deceased in San Juan County, Utah.

DESCRIPTION :
Kenneth Johnson, age 69 of Kanab, Utah was found deceased in the Davis Canyon area near Canyonlands National Park in San Juan County, Utah. Kenneth had been missing since Sunday June 21st where he was last seen in the Monticello area.

Sheriff’s Deputies and NPS Rangers responded to a report of a vehicle, matching the description of Mr. Johnson’s, in the Davis Canyon area east of Canyonlands National Park. Upon arrival, the vehicle appeared to have become stuck in the sand and unmovable. Digging marks around the tires of the vehicle were visible. Mr. Johnson’s body was found only 50 feet from the vehicle under the shade of a cedar tree. Mr. Johnson had a shovel still clutched in his hand. Mr. Johnson did have a history of heart disease and it is presumed that he may have experienced heart problems while digging out his stuck vehicle.

Mr. Johnson’s body will be transported to the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office in Salt Lake City for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Iceaxe
06-27-2015, 06:01 PM
Sad ending... sounds like he was trying to visit Five Faces and/or Log Cabin Ruin.

Swimswithtrout
06-29-2015, 07:37 PM
Tragic ending. Thanks for all of the updates.