Search underway for missing Worland woman

Washakie County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in locating a missing Worland woman.

Sheriff Austin Brookwell said the Sheriff's Office was informed on Saturday at 8:59 p.m. that Breanna Mitchell, 28, was missing.

Searches have been conducted by Search and Rescue, family members, friends and volunteers on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Resources used include horses, Civil Air Patrol, private aircraft, Guardian Flight and a bloodhound from a volunteer from Fremont County.

Brookwell said Mitchell was first reported missing by her boyfriend, who told the Sheriff's Office he received a text at 2 a.m. on July 22 that her vehicle, a black Ford Expedition, had gotten stuck in the Nowater area. The boyfriend said he looked all day for her but could not find her. Brookwell said he has continued to assist in searching for her.

"We do not know why she was out there other than she would go out there for fun," Brookwell said.

Brookwell said in addition to the searches, deputies are also conducting interviews and following leads and rumors.

'We are treating this more than must a missing person, just because we do not know exactly what happened yet."

SEARCH TIMELINE

Search and Rescue was dispatched Saturday night at 9:18 p.m. They searched till about 4 a.m. and could not locate Mitchell or the vehicle. "Search and Rescue was dispatched again on Sunday, July 23, at 8:41 a.m. [Mitchell's] vehicle was located at approximately 10:20 a.m., but she was not there," Brookwell said.

The vehicle was located on a two-track road 2 miles off of Nowater Trail. GPS Coordinates of where her vehicle was are N43.88408 W107.84982.

Washakie County Search and Rescue stayed out looking on Sunday until 2:43 p.m., returning to the area at 5 and 8 p.m. and found nothing. The vehicle was still there, Brookwell said.

The vehicle has since been towed so law enforcement can search for any clues that might lead to Mitchell's location.

"We have been unable to locate her, and her family has not been able to contact her either. We have pinged her phone, but according to Verizon, it is shut off," Brookwell said.

Her family, through her sister Ashley Settlemire said, "If anybody knows anything please let us or the Sheriff's Office know. We are praying for her to be safe and sound. We love her very much."

Brookwell said a family member came to officially report her missing Monday morning and Mitchell was entered into the NCIC database.

On Tuesday, Brookwell said Search and Rescue conducted a search in the morning on horseback and side-by-side all-terrain vehicles. A community search was organized at 5:30 p.m.. Brookwell had noted that they did find footprints leading about 1,000 yards short of the Nowater Road. No further footprints were located. After Tuesday evening's search he reported there was a boot and a shirt were located and the volunteer with the bloodhound had agreed to go out on Wednesday.

Brookwell said on social media post, "She is not in trouble with law enforcement. We want to ensure she is safe. So again, please get in touch with the Washakie County Sheriff's Office at 307-347-2242 if you have seen or have had any contact with Breanna Mitchell [since July 22]."

Brookwell said volunteers are welcome to search but to take precautions to be safe and not to get lost while searching.