A Missouri deputy attorney general who vanished while attempting to climb Wyoming’s tallest mountain has been found alive after spending six days in the remote and unforgiving backcountry, officials said Wednesday.
Shaun Mackelprang was located Wednesday morning near Scott Lake in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, where search teams had been combing the area by land and air for days, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office said.
After reaching him, rescuers began preparing Mackelprang for an emergency helicopter evacuation from the wilderness at about 9:45 a.m.
Shaun Mackelprang endured six days in the rugged wilderness of Wyoming’s Wind River Range. (Facebook / Sublette County Sheriff’s Office)
Mackelprang was dehydrated and confused when searchers found him, his brother, Romel Mackelprang, told Cowboy State Daily.
Romel said his brother has been pursuing a goal of reaching the highest point in every U.S. state. His latest objective was Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s highest summit, which rises to 13,804 feet.
“This is number 45,” Romel told the outlet. He added that rescuers discovered Shaun had signed the summit register, suggesting he made it to the top and encountered trouble on the way down.
Search crews spent several days scanning for Mackelprang both from the ground and from the air. (Facebook / Sublette County Sheriff’s Office)
He said he did not know how much longer his brother could have survived in the backcountry.
“There’s only so much you can handle,” Romel said. “So we just are so grateful for everything that everyone has done on his behalf.”
It was unclear what kind of trouble Mackelprang ran into during his trek. (Facebook / Sublette County Sheriff’s Office)
Mackelprang set out from the Green River Lakes Trailhead on Aug. 20, 2025, planning to reach Gannett Peak.
The search began after Mackelprang was reported missing, and his vehicle was found at the trailhead.
Crews from Tip Top Search and Rescue and the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office searched for Mackelprang with help from the sheriff’s drone team and a rescue helicopter.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway also celebrated Mackelprang’s rescue.
“We are thrilled to hear that Deputy Attorney General Shaun Mackelprang has been located,” Hanaway said in a statement.
Mackelprang set out from the Green River Lakes Trailhead on Aug. 20 to hike to Gannett Peak. (Facebook / Sublette County Sheriff’s Office)
“Our office is beyond grateful for everyone’s prayers and the steadfast work of the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and drone team, Tip Top Search and Rescue’s volunteers and helicopter crew, and Wyoming State leaders,” Hanaway added.
The sheriff’s office also thanked hikers and others who shared information about Mackelprang, reviewed photographs and GPS data and helped spread word of his disappearance.
Authorities have not said what happened to Mackelprang during the six days he was missing.
