NE NE - Chance Englebert, 25, Gering, 6 July 2019 (new father) #2

[Former Reporter]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1993723298723598673

Someone needs to tell the Daily Mail that there are absolutely no deserts in Nebraska.

 

[rosesfromangels]

Someone needs to tell the Daily Mail that there are absolutely no deserts in Nebraska.

Journalism at it's finest

 

[Knox]

Chance Englebert, missing Wyoming man, confirmed dead in Nebraska

Skeletal remains were found in a remote area of Nebraska in October.

www.newsnationnow.com

 

[Knox]

The cause of death is listed as “a pattern of blunt force trauma most consistent with a rapid deceleration event including, but not limited to, a fall from height”.

Based on the location of the remains, Englebert could have fallen from a height of 130 to 290 feet.

Family and friends of the rodeo star previously disputed the theory that Englebert’s disappearance was due to an accident. His friend, Matt Miller, told NewsNation he does not agree with the manner of death determined by authorities.

“No it was not an accident. ‘Accident’ is law enforcement’s easy way out. There’s much more to this story, and it must be brought into the light,” Miller said.

Chance Englebert’s death deemed accidental by authorities

Authorities announced that Chance Englebert, missing since 2019, is believed to have died from an accidental fall.

www.newsnationnow.com

 

[dkaras]

It would be hard to do it in the rain, but (and I'm speculating here) it doesn't mean Chance ended up where he was found that same night. I live in Nebraska and the place he was found would have been hard to climb to (the trails are on the other side of the monument) but easy to land on from above. The storms were truly awful that night - and I cannot imagine a scenario where one would think that a shortcut to Wyoming would be found climbing Nebraska's most challenging monument. I'm including a link to the monument: https://www.nps.gov/scbl

Following the North Platte River would have made infinitely more sense if one planned to walk to Wyoming, IMHO.

Edited to update link to the site.

Have you been to the area or at least around where he was found? I have so many questions too...but I've never been there. Do you recall how long the storms lasted? From where he was last seen on camera, is it logical that he would have crossed those trails/followed them to the top of the bluff from which he supposedly fell, on his way to (was it...) Torrington, and managed to be on the top of it when that storm hit? I guess I can't imagine that he would have continued walking into this area DURING the storm, all the way up to a bluff then fell during the storm? I grew up in Wyoming (currently in CO) but not familiar with Scottsbluff area. I've read online that he would have had to cross a river or at least a stream...is that true?

What I need to do is map this out, someone earlier thread has mapped out where he was last seen and where he was found. Could he have made it to the bluff from which he supposedly fell in the time from he was last seen on camera, and from his last non-sensical text? And how did the storm fit into this walk?

Also, authorities have reported that he was not buried but there was a shovel in a picture. Now I do understand that after so many years, his remains could have been covered by dirt via wind/weather. But I sure wish they would address it directly. It is my understanding that (I'm so sorry to say...) his entire body has NOT been recovered (please correct me if I'm mistaken) and if ANY part of him is buried more than what can be brushed off as weather-related, then this is a homicide. (IMO).

 

[dkaras]

...

Based on the location of the remains, Englebert could have fallen from a height of 130 to 290 feet.

...

Chance Englebert’s death deemed accidental by authorities

Authorities announced that Chance Englebert, missing since 2019, is believed to have died from an accidental fall.

www.newsnationnow.com

I haven't been able to find so far, but have you seen any info on the height of the specific bluff above where his body was located?

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the area. I'm hoping someone local can comment?

 

[MorningDove]

I haven't been able to find so far, but have you seen any info on the height of the specific bluff above where his body was located?

Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the area. I'm hoping someone local can comment?

The peak of the North Bluff is 800 feet above the North Platte River near Gering, Nebraska, and runs parallel to the sandstone formation, according to the Scotts Bluff National Monument website.
Family, Others Question Finding That Chance Englebert’s Death Was Accidental

 

[Quill]

Have you been to the area or at least around where he was found? I have so many questions too...but I've never been there. Do you recall how long the storms lasted? From where he was last seen on camera, is it logical that he would have crossed those trails/followed them to the top of the bluff from which he supposedly fell, on his way to (was it...) Torrington, and managed to be on the top of it when that storm hit? I guess I can't imagine that he would have continued walking into this area DURING the storm, all the way up to a bluff then fell during the storm? I grew up in Wyoming (currently in CO) but not familiar with Scottsbluff area. I've read online that he would have had to cross a river or at least a stream...is that true?

What I need to do is map this out, someone earlier thread has mapped out where he was last seen and where he was found. Could he have made it to the bluff from which he supposedly fell in the time from he was last seen on camera, and from his last non-sensical text? And how did the storm fit into this walk?

Also, authorities have reported that he was not buried but there was a shovel in a picture. Now I do understand that after so many years, his remains could have been covered by dirt via wind/weather. But I sure wish they would address it directly. It is my understanding that (I'm so sorry to say...) his entire body has NOT been recovered (please correct me if I'm mistaken) and if ANY part of him is buried more than what can be brushed off as weather-related, then this is a homicide. (IMO).

Exactly. I saw where they mentioned having his torso, and that left me wondering if that was all they found of him. It would be helpful if someone could clarify if that is, in fact, the case. Can you really make such a distinctive, conclusive ruling from just a torso? Maybe you can, but it seems so hard to understand how.

After massive six-year investigation, Chance Englebert’s cause of death revealed

Chance Englebert went missing in July 2019; death ruled accidental fall.

www.knopnews2.com

"Investigators determined the fall occurred from a distance ranging from approximately 130 feet at the shortest point to 290 feet where the torso was discovered."

"After the full investigation, authorities said there is no evidence that Englebert’s death was anything other than accidental."

^^^^ Again, how is this the case if it's true that all they have is his torso?

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

I'm leaning to accidental as the cause.

I can't see any way someone else could have gotten him to the top
(motorcycle?) (two-man carry uphill?) and then throw him off?

Before they found him I was sure it was foul play by in-laws or some stranger who stopped to give him a ride.

Also, there is the fact that we do not know exactly what bones were found, maybe never will unless the actual autopsy is shared.

 

[Former Reporter]

It sounds like it would be difficult anytime.

If someone or more than one person brought his body up the hiking trails on the south side of the monument another day, it would have been relatively easy, IMHO. Speculation only from Nebraska.

 

[Former Reporter]

Have you been to the area or at least around where he was found? I have so many questions too...but I've never been there. Do you recall how long the storms lasted? From where he was last seen on camera, is it logical that he would have crossed those trails/followed them to the top of the bluff from which he supposedly fell, on his way to (was it...) Torrington, and managed to be on the top of it when that storm hit? I guess I can't imagine that he would have continued walking into this area DURING the storm, all the way up to a bluff then fell during the storm? I grew up in Wyoming (currently in CO) but not familiar with Scottsbluff area. I've read online that he would have had to cross a river or at least a stream...is that true?

What I need to do is map this out, someone earlier thread has mapped out where he was last seen and where he was found. Could he have made it to the bluff from which he supposedly fell in the time from he was last seen on camera, and from his last non-sensical text? And how did the storm fit into this walk?

Also, authorities have reported that he was not buried but there was a shovel in a picture. Now I do understand that after so many years, his remains could have been covered by dirt via wind/weather. But I sure wish they would address it directly. It is my understanding that (I'm so sorry to say...) his entire body has NOT been recovered (please correct me if I'm mistaken) and if ANY part of him is buried more than what can be brushed off as weather-related, then this is a homicide. (IMO).

Yes. I live here in Nebraska and am very familiar with the weather and the area. The storms were ridiculous that night - one of the worst storms we'd had in a while. If memory serves, there were 50 and 60 mph wind gusts. I don't remember how many hours the storm lasted but it was multiple hours.

There is no logical reason why someone trying to follow the North Platte River to Wyoming would willingly try to climb the side of Nebraska's tallest monument, especially the side without established hiking trails, in a major thunderstorm (IMHO, it wouldn't be hard to bring Chance's body up the south side of the monument another day, cross over to the north side and toss it off.)

The Scotts Bluff Monument is not a shortcut to anywhere. And yes, he would have had to cross a canal to get there, and that would have required him swimming across the canal. It just doesn't make sense. My amateur opinion only.

 

[Valiant]

Yes. I live here in Nebraska and am very familiar with the weather and the area. The storms were ridiculous that night - one of the worst storms we'd had in a while. If memory serves, there were 50 and 60 mph wind gusts. I don't remember how many hours the storm lasted but it was multiple hours.

There is no logical reason why someone trying to follow the North Platte River to Wyoming would willingly try to climb the side of Nebraska's tallest monument, especially the side without established hiking trails, in a major thunderstorm (IMHO, it wouldn't be hard to bring Chance's body up the south side of the monument another day, cross over to the north side and toss it off.)

The Scotts Bluff Monument is not a shortcut to anywhere. And yes, he would have had to cross a canal to get there, and that would have required him swimming across the canal. It just doesn't make sense. My amateur opinion only.

There’s also no logical reason a person would try to walk home like Chance did. Anger and emotions can override logic.

 

[Quill]

Yes. I live here in Nebraska and am very familiar with the weather and the area. The storms were ridiculous that night - one of the worst storms we'd had in a while. If memory serves, there were 50 and 60 mph wind gusts. I don't remember how many hours the storm lasted but it was multiple hours.

There is no logical reason why someone trying to follow the North Platte River to Wyoming would willingly try to climb the side of Nebraska's tallest monument, especially the side without established hiking trails, in a major thunderstorm (IMHO, it wouldn't be hard to bring Chance's body up the south side of the monument another day, cross over to the north side and toss it off.)

The Scotts Bluff Monument is not a shortcut to anywhere. And yes, he would have had to cross a canal to get there, and that would have required him swimming across the canal. It just doesn't make sense. My amateur opinion only.

Thank you for your local perspective. I think it's crucial for those of us not familiar with the area, the terrain and the weather impact on that terrain. I'm sitting here trying to picture this guy deciding to swim across a canal in 50-60 mph winds and rain. I'm also trying to picture him surviving that. I can't make it work. JMO

 

[Dnp2be]

Yes. I live here in Nebraska and am very familiar with the weather and the area. The storms were ridiculous that night - one of the worst storms we'd had in a while. If memory serves, there were 50 and 60 mph wind gusts. I don't remember how many hours the storm lasted but it was multiple hours.

There is no logical reason why someone trying to follow the North Platte River to Wyoming would willingly try to climb the side of Nebraska's tallest monument, especially the side without established hiking trails, in a major thunderstorm (IMHO, it wouldn't be hard to bring Chance's body up the south side of the monument another day, cross over to the north side and toss it off.)

The Scotts Bluff Monument is not a shortcut to anywhere. And yes, he would have had to cross a canal to get there, and that would have required him swimming across the canal. It just doesn't make sense. My amateur opinion only.

100% agreed. From Nebraska as well. In fact my house was completely demolished by the platte river during those floods. I really wish they would release more info. I am from the eastern part of the state but have been to O’Neill and surrounding area as my family is from there but is it believable it could take 6 years for a body to be found in that specific area in your opinion.

 

[Dnp2be]

While I agree there isn’t much sense in deciding to walk home during a storm or even in good weather for that matter; I can picture and angry, stubborn, rugged cowboy who had been drinking making a rash decision like that more than I can see him deciding to take the route they say he ended up on as a shortcut. I would imagine ones mind would decide against it after seeing the terrain no matter how angry or stubborn…even drunk. But a lot of people make nonsensical decisions when they drink…some more than others. And quite frankly, angry people do as well. So just because I can’t picture it doesn’t mean it’s unlikely. I am however not sold on their opinion of what happened at this point. MOO

 

[Former Reporter]

There’s also no logical reason a person would try to walk home like Chance did. Anger and emotions can override logic.

True, but I still can't find any plausible reason for him to swim across a canal and climb up the side of the monument that doesn't have established hiking trails in the middle of one of the strongest (if not the strongest) thunderstorms we had that year. Walking off in anger is one thing - but IMHO, there's a huge difference between walking off in anger and climbing the monument. If he'd wanted to continue walking, there are much more established roads that he could have followed. My opinion only.

 

[PrairieWind]

It has been 25 years since I have been up on Scotts Bluff, so I don't remember a lot about the trails or what may have changed. But to me it just makes no sense for him to have once said he was walking to Torrington, and then turned and started up the Bluff. I really wonder how much he had had to drink that day. But he seemed to be walking ok. Of course, we don't know that he actually fell that same night, but it would seem to make sense. I should go over there in the next couple months and go up there again. I am just still a bit suspicious.

 

[K9Enzo]

If someone or more than one person brought his body up the hiking trails on the south side of the monument another day, it would have been relatively easy, IMHO. Speculation only from Nebraska.

Eh, I disagree. The South side isn't some easy walking trail. It's steep, rough bluff terrain. Carrying an adult dead body through that ground would be exhausting, slow and risky. The idea that someone (or more than one) casually hauled his body up there makes no practical sense. IMO only

 

[bombardier]

i know the official ruling is accidental but going out of ones way + a climb uphill + death from height = my first instinct is to think suicide.

 

[Ssschu]

i know the official ruling is accidental but going out of ones way + a climb uphill + death from height = my first instinct is to think suicide.

That definitely makes more sense than foul play.