CANADA Canada - Ben Tyner, 32, cowboy, his horse returned w/o him, Merritt, British Columbia, 26 Jan 2019

[jewelsmac]

Hope I’m wrong. The poor guy was chasing his dream, living a good, clean life, so it seems.
It saddens me to think of his baby bro out there riding Ben’s horse, Ben’s dogs following along, finding nothing.

(The previous link abt privacy is a must read)

i hope you’re wrong as well... it’s just been too quiet

 

[Trudie]

i hope you’re wrong as well... it’s just been too quiet

I’m afraid things weren’t going well & hope Ben may have shared things with his family. Then, after not finding him during ground searches, LE can MAYBE focus on a particular person he may have had issues with. Idk, I’m speculating. But, imo, it’s a bad sign for the major crime unit to join the “investigation”.
Not one wrangler from NR made a public comment. Why?
Ben was their boss.

 

[jewelsmac]

I’m afraid things weren’t going well & hope Ben may have shared things with his family. Then, after not finding him during ground searches, LE can MAYBE focus on a particular person he may have had issues with. Idk, I’m speculating. But, imo, it’s a bad sign for the major crime unit to join the “investigation”.
Not one wrangler from NR made a public comment. Why?
Ben was their boss.

Exactly, there’s almost no news at all.

 

[Trudie]

Exactly, there’s almost no news at all.

Well, I hope he’s not lying somewhere in the cold, suffering, needing help.
I wonder if anyone took pics of his horse when it was found? No two people saddle a horse the same. His bro would know, I think.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

I'm wondering how forthcoming with information the NR employees have been. On page 1 of this thread, it's reported that authorities were notified Monday afternoon that a riderless horse with saddle/tack was found, then the search started. Was he supposed to be off Monday also? Would he normally ride off alone, without anyone knowing where he was going?

He was off for the weekend; his horse was found about 5:30am and by noon it was identified as his horse.
Yes, lots of people go out riding on their own.
NR does have a protocol about riding and safety but maybe it's only on work days (there are articles outlining the ranch protocol, I just can't remember where I saw it).

But I guess it's unusual for BT to not be in touch or let people know his whereabouts.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Here’s my thoughts:
If Ben somehow injured & made it to shelter, he KNOWS he must get outside in the daylight. If he was in a cabin or structure, he would use any object he could to attract attention. He’s not new to this, he grew up in the elements, he’s lived this life his entire life.
Sadly, I see little hope for a good outcome. He’s been gone too long. If he made it, by now, he’s near starvation, imo. Combined with hypothermia, possible injuries, can it be any worse?

Another thought I’ve had, with previous layoffs, why did NR feel it necessary to bring in an outsider? Bet that went over really well. Jmo

Why do you class him as an outsider, because he's an American? Most people would read him as "guy that applied for the position" ... really, it's so unlikely that it's because of disgruntled employees that were laid off.

The former manager has moved on to a large outfit in Alberta, W.A. Ranches of University of Calgary.

So many people seem to be concerned that there are employees or former employees being so bothered that they would resort to foul play because of being bitter but I really, hightly can not see this being the situation at all.

If anything, it would be more likely a domestic dispute . . . we haven't heard anything of his personal/romantic life. Maybe he went on a date with the wrong girl? Did an old flame chase him across the border and that got in to a disagreement? Crime of passion?

It's just that so often it's usually someone the victim knows more than a stranger committing some crime against them, isn't it? There must be statistics about that?

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Exactly, there’s almost no news at all.

I think oftentimes people are asked to not speak to the press or reveal much information. Remember to, it may be at the families request and they would respect that.

 

[superbee]

Would the Major Crime Unit be called in if this was simply a missing person's case? Major Crime to me implies they suspect foul play, but I am also not familiar with how things like this work in Canada. MOO

They are often called in when there is suspicion of drug/gang activity and when there is specialized investigating to be done. They were called to nearby Kamloops a couple weeks ago when 2 young men were shot and killed at 2 separate Kamloops motels in one night. Didn't take long in their investigation for the announcement of gang involvement. These are highly-trained officers that can and are called to any place in BC that needs their investigating skills. Praying they will ferret out the truth of exactly what happened to Ben and where exactly he is.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Okay, idea! Well send SweetAnna to get pics tomorrow. She can do a farm tour, lol! She’s closest. LOL! Tall order. I will upload a few screenshots. Google Earth is a great way to see the lay of the land and the ranch buildings 1463 Princeton-Kamloops Hwy, Merritt, BC

And yes, if he has his phone and it was on roam or maps are running then the battery is draining quickly; factor in the cold weather adding a drain to the battery.




Has NR owner addressed this horrific situation or offered any assistance?

Mysterian, his phone battery would have died very fast searching for a signal.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Yeah, it's strange, IMO. I'd like to see a map of the ranch, with the location his horse was found and the location the broken rein was found, but I guess we have to be content with knowing SAR hopefully looked in the most likely places for him, based on what info they could gather. I'm just sorry they didn't find him.

Eta: re: his phone-- not sure how reliable the signal would be in that area, if there's one at all.

All the houses and bunkhouse are in the same "neighbourhood", right off the highway and the ranch office is on a corner ... 1463 Princeton-Kamloops Hwy, Merritt, BC

There are a lot of maps out there now; its a big fb page now but the Missing: Ben Tyner page has a number of documents and photos to view.

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Well, I’ve been snooping around reading, wish I hadn’t.
I really think Ben met up with foul play.
Family & friends are very concerned Ben would go 17mi away with/o telling anyone. They feel he would not.
They want to know who trailered him & why he’s not coming forward. Also claim Ben’s horse was very well trained (I figured as much). Did Ben only get to Nr around Thanksgiving, so he’s only been in BC for appx two months?

Edited: modified

I thought more like some time in October (which would be around Canadian Thanksgiving).

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Thanks Z! Well, where was he Saturday night? Did he meet someone that offered to drive him? Maybe Anna can offer input from your link.
Reading between the lines, imo, RCMP believe he was dropped off.
On another note, I’m glad his brother got to ride with SAR, he could offer input, I’m sure.

They are still not disclosing where or who it was that last saw him or whether it was at his home, over the phone or out in public. It's just that they place him at something like 2pm that Saturday....

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Tysm SweetAnna!

Any pics of the tenant houses?

No, sorry. I don't know if it would help, would it? Not sure which one he lived in anyhow. There are houses, a few trailers, the ranch office, cookhouse and bunkhouse at the home ranch (along with implement buildings, shops, rental accommodations, etc).

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Some pics of maps for you! This is where most locals felt the search should have been focussed ... Locals have been out searching from this side.

Blue dot is NR HomeRanch!
Red dot is his horse.

1st image (.....616.jpg) BT Horse found Lower Nicola side of Hole rd. Local cowboys refer to it as Winney Flats. (can ride to this from OK Corals which is on 97C hwy)
2nd image (.....296.jpg) is Zoomed out view.
3rd image (....520.jpg) Pinned is Winney Flats. Horse was one (1) km away from Flats towards Lower Nicola Rd >>> to Lower Nic follows the dark draw going left from flats.

 

[Portabella]

I still am leaning on an unfortunate accident. However if thinking in the mindset of something nefarious happening. It was said Ben had to oversee the books etc, the ranch was in the red and struggling. Perhaps Ben appearing to be a very intelligent, almost meticulous young cowboy might have found past discrepancies, stranger things have happened. Who is Ben's Supervisor? And who is their supervisor....in other words did he report skimming or discrepancies to the next up the chain of command and figure out something he shouldn't have. I mean, money is a big factor in crime. If Ben is out there and still alive, and it was an accident, if he dug out a snow cave he may not be found for months... If he perishes maybe never. About cell coverage, I live in Colorado, when I go into the back country my family knows I will be out of touch (no service) until I take the initiative to drive an hour out to this store where you can find coverage. I assume there is no coverage where he was riding, so if he had his phone it would be for picture taking only I would think. Can you tell me is there garbage around out there on the mountain, this is question for locals? If ben could find a way to dig in, make fire and boil snow, he really really could be freezing his butt off dug in a snow bank. I wonder how up on survival skills he is? I also think the crime unit was called in as there is something very "off" about this case, there is NOTHING....Cougar attack you would see blood and bone, With the horse being shod there were definitely tracks, yet none were found. They speculated it could be Ben's rein that his brother found, why speculate, match it to the remaining rein. If it is, DNA test that rein. DNA test the saddle, stirrups, and blanket. Put pressure on those at the ranch. If they know Ben was out Saturday night, how do they know? If they know, they know who he was with, or they would not know he was out. Somebody knows something, and I hope the police are just not letting the public know. But if not nefarious, then why hide info from the public. You have no idea, I am praying for this guy, and wishing him warmth and no frostbite day in and day out. IMHO

 

[Deleted member 238131]

I still am leaning on an unfortunate accident. However if thinking in the mindset of something nefarious happening. It was said Ben had to oversee the books etc, the ranch was in the red and struggling. Perhaps Ben appearing to be a very intelligent, almost meticulous young cowboy might have found past discrepancies, stranger things have happened. Who is Ben's Supervisor? And who is their supervisor....in other words did he report skimming or discrepancies to the next up the chain of command and figure out something he shouldn't have. I mean, money is a big factor in crime. If Ben is out there and still alive, and it was an accident, if he dug out a snow cave he may not be found for months... If he perishes maybe never. About cell coverage, I live in Colorado, when I go into the back country my family knows I will be out of touch (no service) until I take the initiative to drive an hour out to this store where you can find coverage. I assume there is no coverage where he was riding, so if he had his phone it would be for picture taking only I would think. Can you tell me is there garbage around out there on the mountain, this is question for locals? If ben could find a way to dig in, make fire and boil snow, he really really could be freezing his butt off dug in a snow bank. I wonder how up on survival skills he is? I also think the crime unit was called in as there is something very "off" about this case, there is NOTHING....Cougar attack you would see blood and bone, With the horse being shod there were definitely tracks, yet none were found. They speculated it could be Ben's rein that his brother found, why speculate, match it to the remaining rein. If it is, DNA test that rein. DNA test the saddle, stirrups, and blanket. Put pressure on those at the ranch. If they know Ben was out Saturday night, how do they know? If they know, they know who he was with, or they would not know he was out. Somebody knows something, and I hope the police are just not letting the public know. But if not nefarious, then why hide info from the public. You have no idea, I am praying for this guy, and wishing him warmth and no frostbite day in and day out. IMHO

I just cannot see it being something to do with the ranch and finances . . . I mean, of course, you just never know but I'm leaning towards different scenarios nothing to do with company money or lack thereof. The past Manager worked for the company for 19 years and very well-known in the community; he is now the GM of WA Ranches of Uni. of Calgary. Next in line is the owner .... I imagine they wouldn't have hired anyone if they were worried about someone discovered books being cooked.

There's spotty coverage where he would have gone riding and I know lots of people that just don't take their phone out when they are going to areas with little coverage. Also, just because he's in his 30's doesn't mean he's tied to his phone, in fact I was thinking that being a cowboy he might be disinclined to bring it with him. Also, the cold wears a battery down quickly and hopefully he wouldn't need a phone to use as his map (cowboys shouldn't be directionally challenged and if they are they might want to pack a compass with them, imo).

The thing is, they have found no tracks or evidence of him on all the roads, skid trails and paths they've searched . . . hence they wonder if he was trailered in. The horse was found but almost all tracks obliterated because of the wildlife and wild/feral horses that are out on the range they horse was discovered in. Also, there's active logging in the area so I imagine that has covered a lot.

I believe it was his rein.

Wouldn't the police being putting pressure on the ranch if they thought they needed to? Like as far as investigating their part in it? Perhaps they have been putting the pins to the ranch and employees but we haven't heard?

I'm guessing that they know who he was with or had spoken to on that Saturday but not announcing it ... that could be because it's no bearing on his movements on Saturday afternoon or Sunday (they cannot place a time that he left his place/the ranch). Also, perhaps not publishing that info because it's a party that is innocent and they don't want some lynch-mob mentality arising?

I think it's not that they are hiding information from the public .... but often they do hold back information from the public for various reasons.

 

[Portabella]

I cannot find anything on it on google. I know a Cougar will drag a child away if unattended and then begin feasting in its comfort zone. But I don't think a Cougar, even a large one could drag a man the size of Ben very far at all, unless tons of fresh snow you would find evidence during the searches of the attack. I go in the back country often, and the only wildlife I worry about is Cougars, so I do know a tad on the subject. I am sitting here and its snowing and below zero and I hate to say it, but hope Ben is alive and freezing his butt off, as that gives him a chance at coming back from this. I refuse to give up hope. I think that is why I keep being drawn back to this thread. IMHO

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Sorry, I cannot find the article but I have confirmed that the rein was BT's, I have it from two reliable sources, both actively involved with the search that a piece of his broken rein was found "Based on location of horse and broken rein was coming from south"....
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sadly, I too feel like it's likely a recovery situation now.

It's been --24C for days and no-one has found any evidence of fire or otherwise. I hear there have been people out looking at night time; the first days they also used heat seeking devices, along with many dogs and drones and no signs even with 150 people on the ground.

Maybe he's left to start a new life? ( I just read a story about a man from Surrey, BC -- Walter Simek that went missing for well over a year: on purpose).

Maybe not enough eyes looking up ... all so focussed on finding tracks on the ground and maybe he's up a tree? Could have stood on his horse and hopped up, wouldn't even need to leave a footprint if he shinnied up a tree.

If it's foul-play I think it would be something personal-domestic ... there hasn't been talk of this sort but I imagine a decent, fit looking, 32 year old cowboy with a decent career must turn a few eyes? And so, what if he was doing some dating (and wouldn't a guy at that age be looking for a partner?) and he met the wrong girl? Or a nice girl with a jealous X? Or a jilted lover from his past?

My last more happy, hopeful thought is that he bumped his head, stumbled to the highway (not sure which one!) and hitched a ride and he's going to be spotted in Vancouver or Calgary at a soup kitchen or some backwater ranch.

I have been sick about the whole thing; suppose because it's literally close to home ... I used to go out riding on my own frequently; wouldn't always say where I was going and a few times got myself into situations where I knew that it could have been much worse. Even out hiking, same thing...didn't always use to look up, carry bear-bangers and have my knife handy. Close to home also due to the fact that I have many friends and family members that have or do cowboy and there are so many former ranch employees and other locals out there looking ... because it could be anyone and it's easy to place ourselves' in these sickening situations. His family and friends ... I cannot even imagine their pain.

Did Ben have a knife on him and in his saddlebags? I guess he didn't have a gun because there's been no suggestions that he may have a self-inflicted wound, either.

There's a large lake right there barely a minute from the ranch, Nicola Lake .... foul play could put him there, tack up his horse and trailer it away from BT?

But one always has hope that there may be a happy ending. After all, miracles do happen.

 

[zecats]

Why do you class him as an outsider, because he's an American? Most people would read him as "guy that applied for the position" ... really, it's so unlikely that it's because of disgruntled employees that were laid off.

The former manager has moved on to a large outfit in Alberta, W.A. Ranches of University of Calgary.

So many people seem to be concerned that there are employees or former employees being so bothered that they would resort to foul play because of being bitter but I really, hightly can not see this being the situation at all.

If anything, it would be more likely a domestic dispute . . . we haven't heard anything of his personal/romantic life. Maybe he went on a date with the wrong girl? Did an old flame chase him across the border and that got in to a disagreement? Crime of passion?

It's just that so often it's usually someone the victim knows more than a stranger committing some crime against them, isn't it? There must be statistics about that?

I’m with you on this point. Domestic rather than work related. It’s possible he saddled up with someone else. Maybe that someone trailered two horses with the intent of riding together. Something nefarious may have happened spontaneously, or even been planned. JMO

 

[Deleted member 238131]

Not to detract from BT but I suppose my reading the website " strange outdoors com" really makes one realize the bizarre and/or just sad circumstances that can happen. And also, that there are sadly, hundreds & hundreds of people missing. BT has had a lot more focus on him than the others that have gone missing ... I can think of at least 3 in this southern interior route & they didn't have need the searching or publicity that BT has had. It makes me sad for their families and friends

Also, one only needs to look at how many people are missing, all over North America, not just BC. It's not as though it's only the BC police not being able to solve missing person cases ... (I've seen some posters basically implying the "this slow botched search of BT wouldn't happen in the US" ... that's quite a ridiculous thing to say.

On another note, it's not all spaghetti western and vigilant justice up here, lol. Implying it's the ranch or an X-ranch employee is very doubtful . . .

Saying, BT doesn't know the ranch and he's new ... means people could also wonder about BT's character as no-one up here really "knows him". He seemed to enjoy spending time in Russia ... maybe that's something to look at?