Found Deceased CO - Joel Tovar, vehicle found in parking lot with phone & hiking gear, Horsethief Falls Trail off CO-67, bet Divide & Cripple Creek, 29 Dec 2024

[Unalienable Rights]

Teller County Sheriff's Office searching for missing hiker

A live TV news station covering breaking news, investigative reporting, and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado.

krdo.com

DIVIDE, Colo. (KRDO) - The Teller County Sheriff's Office says they are searching for a missing hiker.

Search underway for missing hiker last seen on trail in Colorado | OutThere Colorado

The search for a missing hiker is taking place in Colorado's Teller County, which is located just west of Colorado Springs.

denvergazette.com

Tovar has been described as six-foot-three and 230 pounds, last seen wearing an olive green jacket and dark pants with an unknown direction of travel.

Teller County Sheriff's Office

EVENING UPDATE: Teller County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Teller County Search and Rescue, continue the search for Joel Tovar. Here is what we know so far. Yesterday at approximately 3:00 pm,...

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EVENING UPDATE:

Teller County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with Teller County Search and Rescue, continue the search for Joel Tovar. Here is what we know so far.

Yesterday at approximately 3:00 pm, Teller County Dispatch received a call stating that an individual named Joel Tovar had gone missing. Mr. Tovar is a 6-foot 3-inch tall male weighing approximately 230lbs with brown/black hair and brown eyes. He is a Naval recruiter in Colorado Springs. The caller stated that Mr. Tovar had made statements that led them to believe that he may be suicidal. Deputies located Mr. Tovar’s car at the trailhead to Horsethief Falls and searched it for clues as to his intentions and whereabouts. They began the search for Mr. Tovar on the trails from the trailhead, interviewing hikers as they encountered them, but were unable to locate him.

This morning, Search and Rescue was activated to expand the search. Additionally, two tracking dogs are assisting. Each tracking dog and handler is accompanied by a deputy. Also, when Mr. Tovar is found, he may require medical attention and evacuation. Each dog team also has Search and Rescue personnel for those purposes. One of the teams briefly thought they caught the trail of Mr. Tovar, but it proved to be a false lead. Twelve personnel from Search and rescue have been participating in the search. Approximately 36 miles of trail have been searched so far with several likely areas identified for further searching. Searchers are exploring Horsethief Falls Trail, Pancake Rocks Trail, and the Crags Trail. Horsethief Falls Trail is considered moderately challenging, climbing the eastern side of Pikes Peak. Branching off is Pancake Rocks Trail, also considered moderately challenging. A connector leads to the Crags Trail, a moderately challenging trail on the northeast side of Pikes Peak.

A military friend of Mr. Tovar has also been in contact with the Sheriff’s Office to provide information that may aid in the search.

The dog teams will continue to search until nighttime conditions become unsafe. Tracking dogs are prepared to continue the search tomorrow morning.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office appreciates your cooperation and assistance in the search. Should you have any information that may lead to the whereabouts of Mr. Tovar, or if you see anyone that matches his description, please call 9-1-1. Again, thank you for your assistance and cooperation.

MISSING HIKER:

Last evening at about 3:00pm, Teller County Dispatch received a call from an individual who stated that an individual named Joel Tovar had gone missing. Deputies from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office located Mr. Tovar’s car in the parking lot of the Horsethief Falls Trail. Deputies searched Mr. Tovar’s vehicle for clues as to his intentions and whereabouts. In the vehicle, they found hiking gear and a cell phone. They searched the trail, interviewing hikers as they encountered them, but have so far been unable to locate Mr. Tovar. This morning, Search and Rescue was activated to expand the search of the area.

 

[mlhenn]

Search continues for missing man in area of 14,115-foot Colorado peak | OutThere Colorado

The search for a missing hiker continues in Colorado's Teller County, which is located just west of Colorado Springs.

denvergazette.com

Teller County Sheriff's Office indicated that crews are still looking for a Naval recruiter named Joel Tovar, with an initial report about him being missing received on Sunday at about 3 p.m. Tovar was last seen on the Horsethief Falls Trail by other hikers, with his vehicle being located by deputies in the trailhead parking lot.

The search has thus far been focused on the area around Horsethief Falls Trail, as well as Pancake Rocks Trail and the Crags Trail, all of which are located in area of Pikes Peak.

 

[mlhenn]

Teller County Sheriff's Office searching for missing hiker

A live TV news station covering breaking news, investigative reporting, and traffic for Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Southern Colorado.

krdo.com

That’s concerning IMO…

Deputies say they searched the car, and inside they found hiking gear and a cell phone

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Deputies posted to Facebook just after 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday and said that TCSO, Search and Rescue, and tracking dog teams were being deployed again in the search effort. “The military has also provided a MEDEVAC UH-60 Blackhawk to aid in the search,” wrote TCSO.

MSN

 

[swanniee11]

His FB Log into Facebook

 

[tlcya]

I am confused. If Toval were suicidal and meant to end his life, why bother to take hiking gear only to leave it in the car? Or did his hiking gear normally just live in his car for convenience and the possibility of a spontaneous hike opportunity?

 

[Parsnip]

Tovar was last seen on the Horsethief Falls Trail by other hikers, with his vehicle being located by deputies in the trailhead parking lot.

Rs&bbm . This article appears to be a summary of what was posted on the SO website, but in that update, they state that they had interviewed hikers, not that he had been seen by other hikers (and he might well have been, but the update did not state that). I find that interesting. He’s a big guy, and presumably, people would notice him, especially if he were hiking solo in frigid weather without appropriate gear. Idk what he left behind in the car that constitutes “hiking gear,” but whatever it was, it wasn’t with him.

Moo, but this seems strange.

 

[starlightstarbright]

I am confused. If Toval were suicidal and meant to end his life, why bother to take hiking gear only to leave it in the car? Or did his hiking gear normally just live in his car for convenience and the possibility of a spontaneous hike opportunity?

It would be interesting to know what they mean by hiking gear. I’m thinking about what’s often just in my car - big backpack, boots, a whole other set of swimming gear (as I do a lot of wild swimming), a whole other section of horse related paraphernalia, if you found my car, you’d think I was off on quite an adventure.

If he is military, I’m guessing it’s possible he often has a backpack and boots that he carries around with him. I guess it’s hard to gauge though if it’s alarming that they are still in the car or not.

It’s notable though that they found his car so quickly. Reported missing at 3pm and it sounds like the car was found at least by the next morning (is that right?). That seems very quick in the middle of winter at a trailhead.

 

[Parsnip]

Most recent update from the sheriff’s office…the search continues.

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1.2.25

 

[Leilei]

Teller County Sheriffs Office announced on their FB page that Joel's remains have been recovered.
Heartbreaking.
Fair winds and following seas, DC1. Your shipmates have the watch.

 

[mlhenn]

https://www.fox21news.com/top-stories/body-of-missing-hiker-found-after-four-day-search/

After an intensive four-day search, the body of Joel Tovar was recovered from the western slope of Pikes Peak on Jan. 2.

Rescue teams with dogs and a helicopter searched for four days before Tovar’s body was discovered on Jan. 2 about 400 feet to the southeast from Horsethief Falls. TCSO said his body was found on the western slope of Pikes Peak, high up on a steep rock formation and tucked back on a ledge.