By Richard Provost
The body of Austin Madsen, a 32-year-old resident of Mapleton, Utah, has been found in Garfield County near Mount Dutton after over four months of searching. He went missing on January 27. Shed hunters spotted the remains on May 29 around 2:30 PM and immediately reported the sighting to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities arrived at the location and determined that there was no foul play involved. Joe Adams, the public information officer for the sheriff’s office, stated that Madsen’s death appeared to be the result of natural causes, likely due to exposure to the elements.
The remains were transported to Taylorsville, where the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner identified the body using dental records provided by the Mapleton Police Department. Austin Madsen’s father, Aron Madsen, revealed that his son suffered from bipolar disorder and occasionally experienced mental crises. According to Aron Madsen, Austin had expressed his desire to leave Mapleton and clear his mind, intending to head to Fredonia, Arizona, where his family had lived in the past. However, something diverted his path, leading him to Mount Dutton where his truck became stuck in the snow.
The last communication from Austin Madsen was a video sent to a friend on January 27, showing himself on the mountain. This video helped the police identify the general area. Search and rescue efforts began on January 29 in Dry Hollow, approximately 5 miles southeast of where Madsen’s body was eventually found. Multiple sheriff’s offices collaborated in the search, but due to a severe snowstorm, the operation had to be temporarily suspended. After the storm passed, the search resumed but was called off on February 3 when all leads were exhausted.
There were subsequent reports of sightings in Ogden, but they turned out to be cases of mistaken identity. A further search conducted by deputies from Garfield County and members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs took place during the weekend of May 20 but yielded no results. The Fredonia Police Department informed Madsen’s family of the discovery of his remains.
Austin Madsen is survived by his wife, Emily, and their two young sons, aged 2 and 9 months. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office expressed its condolences to the Madsen family and requested that all inquiries be directed to their office, allowing the family time to grieve this tragic loss.
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