Efforts moved to Black Canyon, Possible Self-Rescue – February 3, 2023
On February 2nd, following an investigative lead related to the last known location of Austin Madsen, Garfield County Deputies redirected the search as we believe he may have begun to travel off Mount Dutton on foot the same way he came in with his vehicle. With this information, search efforts were directed to the Black Canyon area. Aerial drones, along with search and rescue teams on horseback, on foot, and in track-wheeled UTVs, scoured the cliffs and terrain throughout Black Canyon northward back towards Antimony, Utah. Until today the search had been more limited and involved air support from the Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau to protect the integrity of any tracks Austin may have left in the snow. As the search progressed into the fourth day, the decision to involve every asset available in an effort to develop new leads. Unfortunately, no signs of Austin were identified.
Garfield County will begin to transition search and rescue efforts from a dynamic and intensive search to a more passive approach to best allocate resources throughout the county. This includes the monitoring of Austin’s phone, efforts by Garfield County Search and Rescue members, the listing of Austin in a national database, and an all-public bulletin to be on the lookout for Austin during their routine operations. This does not mean hope is lost. Austin is known to be in great physical shape and has considerable backcountry skills that he can use to survive.
With extremely low temperatures and wind chills compounding the efforts of sub-zero conditions, it is our best hope that Austin Madsen has possibly self-rescued from this situation and has yet to contact authorities or family members. At this point, air operations and assigned deputies will be suspended from actively searching the Mount Dutton area as those resources have exhausted every effort available to open any new investigative leads. As The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has an open and direct line of communication with Mr. Madsen’s family, this office asks that they be afforded the space and privacy they need in order to deal with this difficult situation. We encourage the public to contact our office if they encounter or observe anyone matching Austin’s description.
Garfield County Sheriff’s Office will continue to actively investigate any new leads and provide updates as information becomes available. We would like to thank and recognize the assistance from the Piute County Sheriff’s Office, Sevier County Search and Rescue, Iron County Search and Rescue, the US Forest Service, Kane County Search and Rescue, the Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, and all the volunteers and agencies that came out to help look. Any inquiries may be directed to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office at 435-676-2678.
– Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
Active Search for Austin Madsen – January 31, 2023
On January 29, 2023, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office received information that Austin Madsen had been reported as missing. The last known activity from Austin Madsen was a cell phone call and a short video clip. Mapleton City Police Department performed a cell phone “ping on Madsen’s cell phone, which resulted in a possible coordinate in Garfield County.
Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies were able to locate Madsen’s vehicle in the Dry Hollow area on Mount Dutton with the assistance of search and rescue teams from Sevier and Iron counties as well as the Piute County Sheriff.
Piute and Garfield Search and Rescue members, along with deputies and leadership from both departments, were able to locate and follow a trail of footprints through the snow for several miles believed to have been left by Madsen. At approximately 2:30 AM on January 31st, the search was suspended due to extreme weather conditions.
On January 31st, at approximately 10:30 AM, the search resumed for Madsen, Garfield County Sheriff’s Deputies, Utah Department of Public Safety Helicopter, along with Piute, Sevier, and Garfield county Search and Rescue crews, are actively searching for Austin Madsen. Low temperatures and high winds made visibility for search incredibly difficult. The rough terrain and deep snow complicated travel throughout the area. This is an active search, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
– Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
Feature image caption: A picture of Austin Madsen taken not long before he went missing.