‘We’re coming for you’: Search on for ‘true American cowboy’ missing in B.C. backcountry
1/31/19
Ben Tyner, who was raised in Wyoming, had taken on a new job about three months ago as ranch manager in Merritt, B.C. He was
last seen Saturday afternoon [Jan 26]. He may have ridden into the backcountry along an area called Swakum Ridge.
Kim Robinson, a local tracker and hunting guide, said he found the riderless, saddled horse Monday morning. It was missing a rein but otherwise had “good rigging” on it. The horse was a bit spooked but he managed to calm it down and tie it to a tree. He then went and fetched other local ranchers who later brought it back to town and confirmed it belonged to Tyner.
The weather Wednesday was said to be partly cloudy with a high of 2C and overnight lows of -3C.
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The Nicola Valley Search and Rescue team was leading the operation, which included teams from other parts of B.C., ranchers on horseback, search dogs and drones.
Tyner’s parents, Richard and Jennifer Tyner, and younger brother, Jack, travelled to Merritt from Wyoming to take part in the search.
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The officer manager at Nicola Ranch told Postmedia News it was “totally out of character” for Tyner to leave the ranch without notifying someone.
“None of this is adding up, it’s a flipping mystery,” Tammy Straya said. ...
Straya added that Tyner’s horse returned in good condition with nothing to indicate that it had been attacked.
“Something might have scared it, but there’s no blood, no spur marks, no scratches. It’s his horse, and it’s a gentle horse,” Straya said.
According to Tyner’s Facebook page, his career has taken him to ranches all over the world — from Russia to Idaho. Instagram posts in recent months featured some of his leather work, including custom shotgun leggings made from water buffaflo hide, and a 10-foot bullwhip.
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“He’s a very fine young man, quiet and reserved, very mannerly. A little shy … but takes real pride in what he does.”
DeBerard said Tyner never hesitated to lend a helping hand to neighbours back home.
“Anytime you needed Ben to gather cows, or brand cows, or if you needed him with a horse trailer, he’d drop whatever he was doing to help somebody — a solid, strong guy.”
ETA: reportedly, BT truck and trailer were found at home.