A 48-year-old man died over the weekend while independently searching for missing person DeEtte Spencer in Carbon County, according to the Carbon County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Jeff Wood identified the deceased man as Joshua Dovayak. Authorities stated that Dovayak was not part of any organized or official search operation and had entered the search area on his own.
The sheriff's office described the incident as a tragic loss and expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of Dovayak.
Officials noted that the search area for Spencer consists of extremely rugged and remote terrain. In this area, temperatures have surpassed 100 degrees and weather conditions remain unpredictable. Officials also warned that the region faces risks from flash flooding and sudden monsoonal storms.
The sheriff's office urged members of the public to avoid entering search areas alone, noting that independent efforts can create additional hazards for emergency responders and put lives at risk.
According to officials, professional search and rescue teams have exhausted all leads and viable resources within the current search area.
