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

[Dnp2be]

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.

Interesting conclusion. When you put it that way; it does seem more likely. I don’t know him personally at all and I know family and loved ones’ first reaction is to usually say they know their loved one would never do that. I’ve said that about my own family
When there was no denying it was suicide. I do wonder if he struggled with depression or mental health issues. Was he typically a drinker? People often drink as a way of ineffective coping or masking mental health issues. He was a new father. Although that didn’t mean he couldn’t have done it either way. Sadly, I doubt we will ever really know. I feel sad for his loved ones. No matter the reason, the outcome will remain the same unfortunately.

 

[Valiant]

Interesting conclusion. When you put it that way; it does seem more likely. I don’t know him personally at all and I know family and loved ones’ first reaction is to usually say they know their loved one would never do that. I’ve said that about my own family
When there was no denying it was suicide. I do wonder if he struggled with depression or mental health issues. Was he typically a drinker? People often drink as a way of ineffective coping or masking mental health issues. He was a new father. Although that didn’t mean he couldn’t have done it either way. Sadly, I doubt we will ever really know. I feel sad for his loved ones. No matter the reason, the outcome will remain the same unfortunately.

Consider how emotional the golf outing apparently was - we don't know all the details but we do know the aftermath. We don't know what all was said, I can imagine some of it from hints from interviews, but it could have put him in a really bad place mentally. And then add in the misfortune that no one he called was able to come and help him.

 

[Quill]

That definitely makes more sense than foul play.

Honest question: Why go to all the trouble to swim across a canal in 60 mph winds and rain to climb an arduous, slippery climb with bad footing, no gear to jump? Why wouldn't you just let yourself drown in the canal if you were suicidal?

 

[bombardier]

Honest question: Why go to all the trouble to swim across a canal in 60 mph winds and rain to climb an arduous, slippery climb with bad footing, no gear to jump? Why wouldn't you just let yourself drown in the canal if you were suicidal?

i dont want to be too graphic or anything but drowning is a painful death and its hard to drown oneself if you know how to swim and aren't weighed down (instincts would take over)...death from a very high fall is much less painful for less time and nearly guaranteed :/

 

[rosesfromangels]

Consider how emotional the golf outing apparently was - we don't know all the details but we do know the aftermath. We don't know what all was said, I can imagine some of it from hints from interviews, but it could have put him in a really bad place mentally. And then add in the misfortune that no one he called was able to come and help him.

Heartbreaking at so many levels.
That said, I’m convinced this is not the last chapter of Chance’s story.

Amateur opinion and speculation only

 

[Former Reporter]

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

Some of the trails on the south side are, in my experience, challenging if one isn't a frequent or seasoned hiker. But to go to the right side and basically try to hike where there are not established trails makes even less sense to me. My opinion only.

 

[Quill]

i dont want to be too graphic or anything but drowning is a painful death and its hard to drown oneself if you know how to swim and aren't weighed down (instincts would take over)...death from a very high fall is much less painful for less time and nearly guaranteed :/

I understand what you're saying. I'm saying that having to swim across a canal in that weather just so you can make another precarious endeavor all to commit suicide just isn't plausible to me. In fact, I'll go as far as saying it sounds ludicrous. I hope the family can somehow find peace.

 

[Dnp2be]

Ya I’m not convinced of anything yet. Terribly sad no matter what the actual circumstances of death are.

 

[PrairieWind]

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.

I would think that is a very unusual suicide. To walk that distance and climb a bluff ( not even considering how he did it, did he walk around to other side first to access the trails or literally climb the bluff on his own) just to jump off? If he did, what on Earth could have caused him to do this? There is a lot more of what happened that afternoon that we don't know.

 

[rosesfromangels]

I would think that is a very unusual suicide. To walk that distance and climb a bluff ( not even considering how he did it, did he walk around to other side first to access the trails or literally climb the bluff on his own) just to jump off? If he did, what on Earth could have caused him to do this? There is a lot more of what happened that afternoon that we don't know.

Yes indeed, a lot more.
I am not buying the official COD.
Nope.

Amateur opinion and speculation

 

[bombardier]

I would think that is a very unusual suicide. To walk that distance and climb a bluff ( not even considering how he did it, did he walk around to other side first to access the trails or literally climb the bluff on his own) just to jump off? If he did, what on Earth could have caused him to do this? There is a lot more of what happened that afternoon that we don't know.

oh dont get me wrong the whole situation is very, very weird... nothing about this case is easily categorizable, and theres a ton of information that doesnt seem to align with any one scenario/COD. if i had to divide up all the info, id only say suicide fits 50% of the known circumstances?? but accident and foul play are even less convincing for me.
i dont think all the info will ever come to light IMO if only he had been discovered earlier and more could have been gleaned from the remains.
speaking of which, question for the locals; does it make sense given the terrain and foot traffic of the monument that remains could have lay undiscovered for 5+ years?

 

[Former Reporter]

oh dont get me wrong the whole situation is very, very weird... nothing about this case is easily categorizable, and theres a ton of information that doesnt seem to align with any one scenario/COD. if i had to divide up all the info, id only say suicide fits 50% of the known circumstances?? but accident and foul play are even less convincing for me.
i dont think all the info will ever come to light IMO if only he had been discovered earlier and more could have been gleaned from the remains.
speaking of which, question for the locals; does it make sense given the terrain and foot traffic of the monument that remains could have lay undiscovered for 5+ years?

I've been wondering the same thing since the remains were discovered. I personally think he was placed there later. My opinion only. To me, it just doesn't make sense, because the search area was huge, and there were multiple searches. One of them actually located bones from another missing Nebraskan. Bone found in river near Melbeta in 2021 confirmed as Patterson-Black

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Very interesting interview with the Englebert's PI Ryan Couch. I agree with him, and I am kind-of-but-not-for-sure, thinking there is possibly foul play. If not, he plans to find out more about what may have happened. At first I thought it was accidental, or even the S word, but now I'm lost.
The interview was 12/8/25 on True Crime Unsolved.

Ryan revealed that Chance's clothing was found, his wedding band, his phone. 1 shoe was unrecognizable but the other was "ok".
They found his belt but no trophy buckle, and also no wallet.

Chance's remains were partially buried, and face down, probably due to 6 years of weather. The buried items/parts were preserved; but the weathered parts above ground, clothing was decayed, etc.

The more suspicious part, my own opinion, agreed with Ryan Couch, is that LE identified a route, but it is not a shortcut to Torrington or the return to Baylee's grandparents home. There is no justification for this route.

Also, why no presser? No LE faces on camera to answer the inevitable questions. Just the statement, and that falls short.
What happened? What is their theory as to why he ended up at the Monument? That press release was a bunch of thank-you's to searchers, groups. It was a disappointment.

Ryan Couch's FOIA was denied.

Moving forward, the family/or friends/or searchers plan to reach out in the spring 2026 to Gehring, Scottsbluff, Park Service to take a group out to the site. It may not bring answers either.

Moving forward after that, What's best? A Grand Jury investigation? If the outcome is the same, so be it, but the GJ would be able to question witnesses and possible reach a better conclusion.

 

[PrairieWind]

Very interesting interview with the Englebert's PI Ryan Couch. I agree with him, and I am kind-of-but-not-for-sure, thinking there is possibly foul play. If not, he plans to find out more about what may have happened. At first I thought it was accidental, or even the S word, but now I'm lost.
The interview was 12/8/25 on True Crime Unsolved.

Ryan revealed that Chance's clothing was found, his wedding band, his phone. 1 shoe was unrecognizable but the other was "ok".
They found his belt but no trophy buckle, and also no wallet.

Chance's remains were partially buried, and face down, probably due to 6 years of weather. The buried items/parts were preserved; but the weathered parts above ground, clothing was decayed, etc.

The more suspicious part, my own opinion, agreed with Ryan Couch, is that LE identified a route, but it is not a shortcut to Torrington or the return to Baylee's grandparents home. There is no justification for this route.

Also, why no presser? No LE faces on camera to answer the inevitable questions. Just the statement, and that falls short.
What happened? What is their theory as to why he ended up at the Monument? That press release was a bunch of thank-you's to searchers, groups. It was a disappointment.

Ryan Couch's FOIA was denied.

Moving forward, the family/or friends/or searchers plan to reach out in the spring 2026 to Gehring, Scottsbluff, Park Service to take a group out to the site. It may not bring answers either.

Moving forward after that, What's best? A Grand Jury investigation? If the outcome is the same, so be it, but the GJ would be able to question witnesses and possible reach a better conclusion.

It will be tough. I am not very satisfied with the Sheriff's Office on this. They certainly didn't out do themselves on this investigation by any means from the beginning. I also don't think the route makes any sense. But where do you go? The FOIA will have to be followed up with court filing. But to get to a grand jury, you have to have the District Attorney present the case. I don't see that happening here. I don't think the people of Scotts Bluff County want to hear about this case anymore. I see no federal jurisdiction here. I agree there are big red flags on this case, and I hope Chance's family continues to press. But I don't see any local authorities doing much.

 

[rosesfromangels]

It will be tough. I am not very satisfied with the Sheriff's Office on this. They certainly didn't out do themselves on this investigation by any means from the beginning. I also don't think the route makes any sense. But where do you go? The FOIA will have to be followed up with court filing. But to get to a grand jury, you have to have the District Attorney present the case. I don't see that happening here. I don't think the people of Scotts Bluff County want to hear about this case anymore. I see no federal jurisdiction here. I agree there are big red flags on this case, and I hope Chance's family continues to press. But I don't see any local authorities doing much.

This case stinks to high heaven. May justice prevail.

Amateur opinion and speculation only

 

[Former Reporter]

It will be tough. I am not very satisfied with the Sheriff's Office on this. They certainly didn't out do themselves on this investigation by any means from the beginning. I also don't think the route makes any sense. But where do you go? The FOIA will have to be followed up with court filing. But to get to a grand jury, you have to have the District Attorney present the case. I don't see that happening here. I don't think the people of Scotts Bluff County want to hear about this case anymore. I see no federal jurisdiction here. I agree there are big red flags on this case, and I hope Chance's family continues to press. But I don't see any local authorities doing much.

Sadly, I don't think so either. My opinion is that the sheriff's office just wants to chalk it up as being solved, which, in my opinion, is just lazy or something worse. Also, as a former reporter, I can tell you that Nebraska fights FOIAs as hard as they can.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

The first time I'd heard of Gehring, it was for another case. A little girl had been beaten and killed. She was 2, a twin, probably crying at night, so she was murdered. There were 3 adults in the home. The cops were L-A-Z-Y, and let the investigation go cold.
I'm rusty on the case, but I did archive it by request.

Little Juliette Geurts. Her aunt pressed for justice and the people of Gehring went to lengths to petition the court for attention.

After a lot of work, she got "justice" if you want to call it that.
Sad case. But it twisted my thinking on the LE in general in and around Gehring. They suck, IMO. There wasn't going to be any great investigation for Chance. All my opinion.

If anyone's interested, here:

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