Missing person found deceased in Big Horns

WORLAND — Washakie County Search and Rescue assisted Johnson County in the search for a missing person last week.

According to information from the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, on March 30, Johnson County law enforcement was contacted in reference to a missing person from Sheridan County. Sheridan area law enforcement issued an “Attempt to Locate” alert on missing person Sergei Mindham, known to be operating a Hyundai Elantra. Initial information provided to law enforcement was Mindham was to report to work on March 26, but did not show up.

Johnson County law enforcement was provided with GPS coordinates of Mindham’s last mobile phone use on March 26.

Officials from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of the Hunter Corrals and Paradise Guest Ranch. A search of the area was conducted, revealing no sign of Mindham or the vehicle.

On April 2, personnel from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office along with U.S. Forest Service returned to the area of Keno Creek Trail and Rock Creek to conduct a secondary search. No signs of Mindham were found.

On April 7, Johnson County law enforcement was contacted by a concerned citizen who advised he had located the vehicle from the missing person report. The citizen advised the vehicle was stuck in the snow on Billy Creek Access Road in the Big Horn Mountains, a location approximately 14.5 air miles from the original coordinates.

Personnel from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and verified the vehicle was in fact the vehicle associated with Mindham. No recent human activity was observed in the immediate area.

Johnson County Search and Rescue was notified and dispatched to Billy Creek Access Road in the late afternoon of April 7 where a search was activated for Mindham.

On April 8, additional resources from Washakie County Search and Rescue, Sheridan County Search and Rescue and private citizen James Purdy (helicopter) arrived in the area to assist with the search.

Around nine members from the Washakie County Search and Rescue Squad responded to the search area. Washakie County SAR members assisted by conducting a dismounted search, as the snow and ground conditions would not allow for the use of motorized vehicles. After some search, Mindham was found deceased a short distance from his vehicle.

Johnson county authorities are handling the investigation.