This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A scaled-back search effort resumed Thursday in the rugged, snow-clad mountains of southern Utah's Iron County, but officials admitted by afternoon that hope for finding a lightly clad father of four missing since Monday alive had faded.
"We still have crews on the ground and in the air searching for Mr. Brown. [But] to due the weather we have experienced over the past few days and given the clothing Mr. Brown was wearing at the time he left his vehicle, we have changed from a search and rescue operation to a recovery operation," Iron County sheriff's Lt. Del Schlosser said.
"His wife has been notified of this change, and is understanding of this change," Schlosser added. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
After a massive effort on foot, horseback and in the air had failed to locate 34-year-old Daniel Michael Brown on Wednesday, Thursday's efforts took place with "a reduced number of searchers on the ground," aided by a helicopter overhead.
Searchers are focused on an area roughly between Parowan and Minersville, about 75 square miles in all. Recent snowfall is believed to have eliminated any tracks.
Brown was wearing just a T-shirt and jeans when, after his van got stuck near Kane Springs on Monday afternoon, he set out on foot to find help. Overnight temperatures have been well below freezing this week.
His wife stayed with their four children, and when Brown had not returned Tuesday morning, called 911. Deputies rescued the family and they have been sheltered in Cedar City since.
Schlosser said the family had been sleeping in the van, a large model that made into a bed inside. Other than blankets, they did not have much in the way of camping equipment, however.
Also, Schlosser said, Brown's wife said it was not uncommon for her husband to shed his coat, and that he seldom wore one unless it was "extremely cold."
However, one major question — why Brown didn't just call for help to begin with — remains unanswered.
"This is a question we still have," Schlosser said.
Searchers from the sheriff's office, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have been looking in the remote, rugged high desert area since, generally focused on an area about 2 miles west of State Route 130, heading toward Minersville, in southeast Beaver County.
Schlosser said that Brown, of Cedar City, recently had lost his job and had been living with his family in the van. They reportedly were looking for a campsite when the vehicle became stuck.
Brown is described as a 6-foot-3, 250-pound man with brown hair and green eyes.
Anyone who has information on Brown's whereabouts is asked to call Iron County dispatchers at 435-867-7550, their local law enforcement agency, or 911.
Twitter: @remims