CHALLIS, Idaho — Authorities have shifted their search for a missing Challis man to a homicide investigation after taking a suspect into custody Monday.
Patrick Ray Shelton, 47, was reported missing Saturday after he failed to return from a wood gathering trip in the mountains near Challis. He was expected back Wednesday, according to the Custer County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies located Shelton's vehicle and his dog Saturday around 8:30 p.m. in the Big Hill Area west of Challis after tracking his cell phone to the location.
Search and rescue operations began Sunday morning with Challis Search and Rescue teams heading out at 6:30 a.m. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue joined the effort Sunday evening, providing thermal imaging drones and search dog teams.
Officials suspended all search and rescue operations just after 3 p.m. on Monday, transitioning to a recovery operation. The sheriff's office says that a concurrent investigation led them to rule Shelton's disappearance a homicide.
No remains have been found, but the sheriff's office has taken a suspect into custody. The investigation is ongoing — we will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
