RCMP suspend search for missing cowboy

After seven days combing the backcountry for Ben Tyner, Merritt RCMP and search and rescue crews called off the search for the missing rancher.

Despite frigid temperatures over the weekend, rescue teams scoured the area surrounding where Tyner’s horse was found on Jan. 28, but Const. Tracy Dunsmore said no new evidence was uncovered. 

“We have searched some of the largest priority areas and without coming up with anything else to put us in another direction or another area it is really just wasting resources at that point,” she said.

Plummeting temperatures and snow on Sunday hindered search efforts somewhat, Dunsmore said, but volunteers continued to search drainage areas and steep terrain with no results. 

“Those were some of the last tasks that they were assigned,” she said, noting 130 searchers were hard at work on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. “We did grid searching, we did perimeter searching, we had dogs, we had trackers. Some of the drainage and gullies are areas that are also high priority so we wanted to make sure we cover those.”

“It’s certainly a mystery” – RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore

While RCMP have not deemed Tyner’s disappearance suspicious, Dunsmore noted RCMP always consider the possibility.

“So we want to make sure we collect any evidence in case it does go in another direction. We will always investigate, take statements, collect evidence and such,” Dunsmore said. “It’s certainly a mystery.”

The large-scale operation to find Tyner included more than a dozen search and rescue teams, horseback riders, helicopters, police dogs, drones and community volunteers.

While the search has been suspended, Dunsmore noted the case will remain open and RCMP will continue to investigate. If further information is obtained the search can be reinstated.

In the meantime, anyone who has information or who saw Tyner riding in the fields between the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 5A near Nicola Ranch on Saturday or at any point over the weekend on Jan. 27 is urged to contact Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.