David Crouch

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Sublette County Sheriffs Office (WY)

Missing From:

Pinedale, Wyoming

Summary:

David Milton Crouch, 27, disappeared on August 31, 1997 while on a solo fishing trip to Island Lake during a camping expedition in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Pinedale, Wyoming. He became separated from his group at approximately 1.5 miles from camp and was last seen around noon. Despite an extensive two-week search involving 50 volunteers, helicopters, dog teams, and horses, no trace of him was ever found. Authorities believe he likely died from exposure to the elements within the first night.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

On the morning of August 31, 1997, David Milton Crouch left his campsite at Lost Lake in the Bridger-Teton National Forest for what was supposed to be a two-hour fishing trip to Island Lake, approximately 1.5 miles away. He was part of a group of four friends and a professional guide (Terry Pollard of Bald Mountain Outfitters) on a week-long camping and fishing expedition. Crouch was dressed only in blue jeans, a plaid flannel shirt, and hiking boots—carrying only his fishing rod. He had left all survival gear at the campsite, including tent, sleeping bag, water, snacks, compass, matches, and jacket or gloves. Around noon that day, he was last seen fishing on the south side of Island Lake. Later that afternoon, a group of backpackers spotted him heading up a dead-end trail at approximately 7 p.m., well above the timberline at an elevation exceeding 11,000 feet and several miles from where he was last seen—less than an hour before sunset. He appeared to be carrying only his fishing rod. He did not respond to their greetings. No one has seen him since. It was his first wilderness camping trip.

Additional Details:

Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland led the search effort. The group reported Crouch missing on September 1, when he failed to return to base camp by nightfall. The search covered a rugged terrain with steep ravines and granite boulder fields near Island Lake and Lower Jean Lake, approximately 25 miles northeast of Pinedale. Rescue operations employed helicopters, horseback teams, dog teams including certified cadaver-sniffing dogs, and foot searches. A team of approximately 50 volunteers from the local area participated. The initial full-scale search lasted two weeks, with spot checks planned for the following week. A snowfall occurred on September 2, complicating the search. Given the harsh weather conditions that moved into the mountains within days of his disappearance, rescue workers concluded that Crouch probably died on September 2. Nighttime temperatures in the Island Lake area fell well below freezing (into the 30s the first night, then as low as 18°F on subsequent nights with snowfall), making survival without shelter and clothing unlikely. Search dogs picked up scent traces in areas including Moya Canyon near Lost Lake and the upper sections of the trail. By September 8, 1997, Sheriff Ruland advised scaling back the search, stating they could not search indefinitely and were not receiving new information. Crouch's wife of three years, Donna, traveled to Pinedale during the search. His father also arrived in Wyoming to assist with search efforts. The family declined to comment to the media. Crouch lived in Stevensville, Maryland at the time of his disappearance, on Kent Island. He managed the Bike Doctor store in Stevensville with his wife. He was described as athletic, a runner, an avid bicyclist (having once pedaled from Stevensville to Ocean City), a sailor, and someone with some fly fishing experience. According to outfitter Terry Pollard, Crouch was eager to explore the wilderness and couldn't sit still. However, his mountain experience was limited—the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania represented his only previous mountain hiking. The trip to Wyoming cost approximately $225 per day and was organized by Joe Erickson, a Baltimore resident who had previously visited the area for fly fishing. Erickson brought his sons, Joe Jr. and Brad, as well as another friend. Brad Erickson invited Crouch to join the party. Crouch was 27 years old at disappearance (having been born August 31, 1970) and would have turned 27 on the morning of the search. He is presumed lost and deceased.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 16, 2026