CASPER, Wyo. — Natrona County Sheriff’s Department personnel face difficult mountain terrain, as the search for a man missing out of Mills continues into its third weekend.
John Barnhill was reported missing on September 10, 2019. Since then, the NCSO has been assisting in the search for Barnhill, after the man’s truck was found close to Sheepherder Hill, near Muddy Mountain.
Sheriff’s Office officials say that cadaver K9s were brought in last weekend, but the dogs did not alert on anything during their search. Use of the K9s has since ceased.
NCSO Investigator Taylor Courtney says that the search is being concentrated in a six mile radius from where Barnhill’s truck was found. The radius encompasses large swathes of Casper and Muddy Mountains, as well as foothills near Wyoming Boulevard and Highway 487.
At this time, NCSO officials are asking the public to avoid independent searches.
“There’s a lot of private property in that area,” Courtney said, explaining that the Sheriff’s Office has been coordinating with land owners for the search. Courtney goes on to say that independent searches might harm efforts later on.
“Any future searches with dogs might be hindered, if not properly coordinated,” Courtney explained.
It was noted, however, that a large portion of Muddy Mountain is contained in the search area.
“We want to let hunters know that a man has gone missing in the area, and they should call with any information,” Taylor said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Barnhill are asked to contact the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office at (307) 235-9282.
