UPDATE July 25 – Searchers found the body of Charles Ray Humpherys on Tuesday afternoon in the Middle Fork drainage area, about 1.5 miles from where he was last seen. The sheriff’s office stated, “The injuries are consistent with the harsh terrain and environment.” No foul play is suspected.
July 24 – Authorities and volunteers continue to search for Lehi, Utah, physical education teacher Charles Ray Humpherys, 66, who went missing on a camping trip last week.
Summit County Sheriff’s officials say Humpherys was camping with his family during an annual trip near Hidden Lake in the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. He said he was going down to the lake to get water for the campfire about 10 p.m. Wednesday and didn’t return. Crews from Summit, Wasatch and Davis counties along with a Civil Air Patrol plane and a Utah Department of Public Safety’s helicopter have been looking for Humpherys since Thursday, joined by search dogs and horseback teams. Department of Public Safety divers also searched Hidden Lake unsuccessfully.
Because of Humpherys’ outdoors background and knowledge, searchers are still hopeful he will be found alive, according to Lt. Andrew Wright of the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
“There’s definitely someone like him, who has a lot of outdoors experience, as we understand from some of the family this is his 29th year being up in that area. You know, it’s definitely possible for someone to survive this long, especially if they use their natural resources,” he said.
Wright said at least 300 volunteers joined in the search on Sunday.
