Revealed: The Cause of Death for Father Who Disappeared During Family Visit, with Remains Discovered Years Later in National Park

Authorities have confirmed that skeletal remains discovered in October near Scotts Bluff National Monument belong to Chance Englebert, the former rodeo competitor who went missing in 2019. Englebert, 25, disappeared following a reported dispute with relatives in Nebraska.

After a complete investigation, there is no indication that Chance Engleberts death was anything other than accidental, officials stated in a joint announcement from the Scotts Bluff County Attorneys office and the Gering Police Department.

Engleberts disappearance had sparked a long-running search involving multiple states, dozens of agencies, and hundreds of interviews. At the time he went missing, he was visiting his wife Baylees family in Gering, Nebraska, with their infant son. During the visit, an argument occurred, and Englebert reportedly contacted a friend, Matt Miller, to drive him back to his home in Moorcroft, Wyoming. Miller recalled that Englebert sounded upset and wanted to leave Nebraska immediately.

Security footage captured Englebert walking through Gering in the early evening, around the time he sent a final text message to his aunt featuring a frowning emoji and scrambled letters, before his phone went inactive. Concerned, his wife reported him missing the following morning. Despite extensive searches involving K-9 units, volunteers, and drones, no trace was found until October 10, when hikers discovered human remains near the northern edge of Scotts Bluff National Monument.

According to Ryan Couch, a former volunteer private investigator for the Englebert family, the remains were located three to five miles from where surveillance footage last captured Englebert. Investigators now believe he died from a fall in the park, which is known for its steep cliffs and rugged terrain. Authorities noted that the fall spanned a distance of approximately 130 to 290 feet from the initial drop to where his torso was found.

Chance Englebert had shown great promise as a competitive bareback rider. In 2013, he expressed his desire to continue in rodeo, hoping to remain involved with bareback riding even after his active career ended.

The identification of Engleberts remains brings answers to a case that haunted his family and friends for years. However, those closest to him expressed that this revelation does not provide true closure. Moderators of the Help Find Chance Englebert Facebook page emphasized that questions about his disappearance and death will always remain.

Author: Sophia Brooks