An anonymous tip submitted to the National Park Service Investigative Service Branch led to the discovery of human remains in a remote area of the park. US Park Rangers, an ISB Special Agent, and personnel from the Montezuma County Coroner’s Office located and recovered the remains on September 17, 2020.

From the NPS website:

Date Missing: June 9, 2013. Remains located September 17, 2020.

Description: Stehling was 51 years old at the time he went missing. White male, 6’0” tall, approximately 200 pounds, brown and gray hair, and brown eyes.

Case Info: Stehling was last seen on Sunday, June 9, 2013 while hiking in the park. He was on a road trip with his wife, father, and mother. After telling his family that he wanted to see the Spruce Tree House cliff dwelling, Stehling started hiking at approximately 4:30 pm. The trail to the dwelling is less than 1/4 mile long and connects with the Petroglyph Point Trail. Stehling did not return from his hike.

NPS recommended also viewing the following link, though at the time of our attempt to access this link (8/19/2022), the link was not active: apps.colorado.gov/apps/coldcase/casedetail.html?id=316008

An anonymous tip submitted to us led to the discovery of human remains in a remote area of the park. US Park Rangers, an ISB Special Agent, and personnel from the Montezuma County Coroner’s Office located and recovered the remains on September 17, 2020. The remains and some personal items were found approximately 4.2 miles from the point where Stehling was last seen in June 2013. A medical examiner positively identified the remains as those of Mitchell Dale Stehling. There was no indication of foul play. Our thoughts are with the family, and we thank the person who submitted the tip to us. Park officials appreciate their personnel, community search and rescue, law enforcement groups, and the public for their support through the 7-year investigation.