By CAITLIN WALKER | [email protected]
RBC | Organized search efforts have been temporarily suspended for 20-year-old Samuel Bower, an at-risk Rifle man who has been missing since Wednesday, July 8. Bower was last seen near Edelweiss Court and Dogwood Drive in Rifle. The last confirmed sighting placed him near mile marker 6 on Highway 13, just north of Rifle, according to Rio Blanco County Sheriff Anthony Mazzola.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. July 10, Garfield County authorities received a report of a person carrying a flashlight near mile marker 34.5 on Highway 13 and relayed the information to Rio Blanco County. Deputies searched the area, but did not find Bower.
Additional possible sightings were reported July 11 between mile markers 24 and 35. Deputies again responded, and search-and-rescue teams from Rio Blanco and Garfield counties conducted a joint search of the Highway 13 corridor and the Rifle Arch Trail area. Classic Air provided helicopter support, searching from Meeker to the county line and south into Garfield County.
Search operations continued Sunday with drone teams and ground crews.
On Monday, July 13, Rio Blanco County Search and Rescue and Garfield County Search and Rescue temporarily suspended organized search operations pending additional information. Mazzola said Rio Blanco County will continue assisting with any possible sightings using air and ground resources as leads develop.
Bower is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall and approximately 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, blue sweatpants and glasses. Anyone who sees Bower should call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Rifle Police Department dispatch at 970-625-8095.