Missing hiker found dead in San Juan County
Apr 25, 2026, 4:18 PM
David Engler, a 54-year-old man from Mapleton, was found dead in San Juan County after being missing for more than two weeks. (San Juan County Sheriff's Office)
(San Juan County Sheriff's Office)
SALT LAKE CITY — Police announced Saturday that they had found the body of a missing hiker in a remote area of the Peavine Canyon region of San Juan County.
According to police, David Engler, a 54-year-old man from Mapleton, went hiking by himself in early April. He was originally expected home after the multi-day hike by the evening of April 12, but did not return home.
Engler’s truck was found five days later by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department. When the truck was found, police said they were still looking for him, but did not disclose where they had found his truck.
On Saturday, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, DPS Aero Bureau and the San Juan County Search and Rescue recovered Engler’s body. His remains were transported to the Utah medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.
David Engler, a 54-year-old man from Mapleton, was found dead in San Juan County after going missing following a multi-day hike in southern Utah. (San Juan County Sheriff’s Office)
“We extend our deepest condolences to David Engler’s family and friends during this difficult time,” the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office stated. They also thanked the official organizations and the volunteers who had helped them in the search for Engler.
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