02-06-2025
Officials find body of man who went missing from Idaho campground
Law enforcement located the body of a man who went missing near an Idaho campground earlier this week.
The man's disappearance was reported through a 911 call at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, after last being seen at 1:30 p.m. that day near the Wilderness Gateway Campground in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, the Idaho County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The campground is near the Lochsa River off U.S. 12, about 70 miles northeast of Grangeville.
The Idaho County Sheriff's Office identified the missing man on Sunday as 68-year-old Montana resident Robert Howe.
The search ended at 2:10 p.m. Saturday after an Idaho County drone sighted Howe's body in the river about two miles from where he was last seen, the sheriff's office said in a Sunday news release.
Officials did not provide a cause of death and the Idaho County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to the Idaho Statesman's request for more information.
The sheriff's office said Thursday that they suspected he may have drowned near the campground.
Officials sent thoughts and prayers to the family 'as they navigate this difficult time,' and expressed gratitude to those who assisted in the search.
'We wish to thank the Nez Perce County Dive Team, Two Bear Air, the Idaho County Posse K9 team, the US Forest Service Fire Staff and River Rangers, and the multiple family members, volunteers, and friends of Mr. Howe who tirelessly worked to help locate him,' the sheriff's office said.
