Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway announced Wednesday that Deputy Attorney General Shaun Mackelprang has been located alive after a six‑day disappearance while attempting to climb Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s tallest summit at 13,804 feet.
Search effort and rescue
Mackelprang set out from the Green River Lakes Trailhead on August 20, 2025, with the goal of reaching the summit. When his vehicle was found abandoned at the trailhead, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office opened a missing‑person investigation. Search teams from Tip Top Search and Rescue, the sheriff’s drone unit, and a rescue helicopter combed the rugged terrain for days.
On the morning of August 27, 2026, rescuers located Mackelprang near Scott Lake in the Wind River Range. He was dehydrated and disoriented but otherwise stable. A helicopter lifted him from the backcountry at approximately 9:45 a.m. for transport to medical care.
Family’s perspective
Romel Mackelprang, Shaun’s brother, told the Cowboy State Daily that his sibling has been working his way through the highest points in all 50 states. “This is number 45,” Romel said, noting that the summit register was signed, indicating the difficulty began on the descent.
Romel expressed gratitude for the volunteers and officials who aided the search, adding, “There’s only so much you can handle, so we are so grateful for everything that everyone has done on his behalf.”
Official response
Missouri Attorney General Hanaway praised the collaborative effort, stating, “We are thrilled to hear that Deputy Attorney General Shaun Mackelprang has been located. Our office is beyond grateful for everyone’s prayers and the steadfast work of the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office, their drone team, Tip Top Search and Rescue volunteers, and the helicopter crew, as well as Wyoming State leaders.”
The sheriff’s office also thanked hikers and other community members who shared information, reviewed photographs and GPS data, and helped spread the word about the missing deputy.
What remains unknown
Authorities have not released details about what caused Mackelprang’s six‑day ordeal. The rescue underscores the dangers of high‑altitude mountaineering and the importance of coordinated search‑and‑rescue resources across state lines.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
