Human remains discovered in a remote area of the Nebraska desert have finally been identified as those of Chance Englebert, a 25-year-old rodeo star who vanished without a trace over six years ago.
The Disappearance
Chance Englebert was last seen alive on 6 July 2019 after he reportedly walked away from his in-laws' home in Gering, Nebraska, following an alleged argument. The rodeo performer had been spending the Fourth of July holiday weekend with his wife Baylee's family and their infant son when the confrontation occurred.
According to reports from the time, the dispute began after a comment was made about his new job while the family was golfing. Englebert, who had recently been laid off from a coal mine but had secured new employment set to begin after the holiday, told his wife he wanted to leave. When she argued against departing, he stormed off on foot, stating his intention to walk the 35 miles to the town of Torrington.
The Final Hours
Englebert was captured on surveillance video later that day, hiking alone in poor weather conditions in the neighbouring town of Terrytown, approximately one and a half miles from where he started. Officials noted that in the footage, he was seen looking down at his phone before making a sharp 90-degree turn, appearing to follow directions from the device.
At 9:08 pm that night, Englebert sent a final, puzzling text message to his mother, Dawn Englebert. The message contained only a jumble of letters and a smiley face emoji, which she said made no sense. This was the last communication anyone received from him.
His friend, Matt Miller, later revealed that Englebert had called him that evening asking for a ride back to Wyoming, sounding upset and wanting to 'get the heck out of Nebraska.' Miller was unable to help as he was four hours away hosting a Fourth of July party.
The Discovery and Lingering Questions
The case remained cold until last month, when a hiker stumbled upon human remains in a remote, difficult-to-access area of the Scotts Bluff National Monument. Investigators used DNA analysis to confirm the identity as Chance Englebert.
Authorities have informed the family that the cause of death was deemed an accidental fall. However, Englebert's mother has expressed profound skepticism about this conclusion. She told Cowboy State Daily that the news 'is not closure to us at all,' adding, 'Our hearts hurt more than ever.'
Dawn Englebert and local residents have raised significant doubts about the official account. The area where his remains were found is described as exceptionally challenging terrain not typically used by hikers and not on a logical route to Torrington.
Longtime Gering resident Kelly Mumm supported these concerns, explaining that while the Monument park is popular with hikers, all established trails are on the south side. The north side, where Englebert was found, is considered too difficult to traverse. Mumm speculated that reaching the location would have required wading across a 15-foot canal and navigating through thick brush.
'That'd be the longest way I could imagine you could walk to Torrington,' Mumm stated. 'Especially at night in the rain.'
Dawn also noted that investigators had previously suggested her son was heading back to his in-laws' home when he vanished, a theory they have since abandoned.
Englebert's disappearance sparked years of extensive searches, with his desperate family offering substantial rewards for information, including a $200,000 reward from his grandmother that expired on what would have been his 30th birthday on 2 December 2023.
For his grieving family, the discovery has answered one question but raised countless others. 'This is not closure to us at all,' his mother said, 'but only more whys.'
