DUCHESNE — The body of a Millcreek man who had been missing since he went fly-fishing in Wasatch County on Thursday was found Saturday in the Lake Canyon area of Duchesne County.
The body of Robert “Austin” Harker, 34, was discovered after a local resident spotted his Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and contacted police.
Family members told the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office that Harker was supposed to travel to the Strawberry River southeast of Heber City to fly fish, but called his wife Thursday morning to say the Soldier Creek Dam Road he intended to use was closed and he was heading east to find a spot to fish. Officials said he had intended to come back home that afternoon, but failed to return.
Search and rescue crews set out looking for Harker on Friday morning. Later that day, his empty vehicle was discovered. Harker’s body was recovered late Saturday morning by search and rescue personnel flying over the area in a helicopter, according to the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators found no evidence of foul play in their preliminary review, a news release states. The Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office will make an official determination of the cause of death.
“Our condolences go out to the Harker and Cowart families and we appreciate their help and their strength during the search for Austin,” said Duchesne County Sheriff Travis Tucker.