The search for a missing turkey hunter in Colorado ended over the weekend when volunteer searchers found the deceased body of Kaden Sites. The recovery of Sites’s body followed thousands of man-hours of effort to find him after he went missing on April 15.
According to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, the truck of the 27-year-old had been found near the Blanks Cabin Trailhead on Shavano Mountain, which is in Central Colorado. Sites had left his phone in the car with a drained battery.
The search effort for Sites involved multiple agencies and the use of dogs, drones, aircraft, and volunteer teams. Ultimately, Sites was found near Tabaguache Creek about 1.5 miles from his truck. After being alerted by volunteers, officials recovered Sites’s body.
“Our hearts go out to the Sites family and friends this evening,” Said Chafee County Sheriff Andy Rohrich. There was always a measure of hope that Kaden would be found alive. We are thankful the family will have some level of closure. Thank you to everyone who joined in the efforts to bring Kaden home. It is such a loving community we have.”
Officials have not yet released the cause of death pending further investigation. However, foul play is not suspected in the incident.
Regardless, it is a grave reminder to take precautions and alert somebody of your intended destination when heading out hunting. We’re sending our thoughts and prayers to Sites’s friends and family.