OWYHEE COUNTY — UPDATE: The Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue volunteers and others have suspended the search for a missing man in the Owyhee County desert, due to what the sheriff's office says is "extremely unsafe terrain" and bad weather.
The sheriff's office says it now considers the search a recovery effort, and work will resume as weather and resources allow.
The sheriff's office adds that it is concerned about the safety of anyone headed into the area right now, and it reiterates that all access to Silver City is currently closed.
The missing man is identified as Eric Rose, 32, of Nampa.
Rose, along with his wife, Francesca Watson, 29, and their one-year-old infant, attempted to go to Silver City when their vehicle apparently became stuck.
“After approximately four to five days, Eric attempted to walk out to get help. He was last seen in the very remote and snow-covered area near Cow Creek Road and Trout Creek Roads,” said Owyhee County Sheriff Perry Grant in a news release.
Watson and her infant were located and taken to Jordan Valley.
Owyhee Sheriff’s Office was notified of the missing man about 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 15.
Multiple deputies, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue volunteers, and others have done extensive searching of the area since then, utilizing dogs and snowmobiles.
“Due to extreme conditions, the Owyhee Sheriff’s Office is requesting NO additional citizens in the area to aid in the search,” Grant stated.
All roads to Silver City are closed to the public.
No further information was immediately available.
