ECSO Press Release
The body of 53-year-old Reynaldo Andico was found Friday approximately 1/2 mile from where his vehicle was located early last week.
A Division of Wildlife Resources officer went to the area on Friday to check snow conditions prior to the organized search, which was to begin on Saturday. The officer was hiking out after checking on a trapper in the area when he spotted the body at the bottom of a 150 foot ledge. The bodies of two of the man’s dogs were also found.
A Department of Public Safety helicopter was dispatched and personnel from Emery County Sheriff’s Office responded. The helicopter hoisted the body out of the rugged terrain. The body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for official identification. (The person you see being hoisted down to the recovery site is a DPS helicopter crew member.)
ECSO relies heavily on DPS for their helicopter and extends thanks to the State of Utah for supplying this valuable search and rescue asset.
According to the sheriff’s office, the last time Andico had any contact with family members was October 13, 2017, at which time he told his family he was in the mountains of Utah. He was driving a red Toyota Yaris subcompact car and had three small dogs with him.
An Emery County resident noticed the vehicle in the Justesen Flats area while scouting for deer in mid-October. ECSO ran the plate at that time, but there were no alerts attached to the vehicle or owner, so it was assumed the vehicle belonged to someone hiking in this popular area. Reynaldo’s family had never reported him missing, so he was not listed as a missing person on NCIC.
On Dec. 18, the BLM contacted ECSO and notified them that a caller had reported an abandoned vehicle in the Justesen Flats area. At that time, ECSO personnel responded, processed the vehicle and did a preliminary search of the area. Reynaldo’s personal belongings as well as dog food and bowls were still in the vehicle.
At this time, Reynaldo’s family was notified. The family stated that Reynaldo did not have any outdoor survival skills or experience.
