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PAROWAN — The search for a 34-year-old man missing since Monday became a recovery operation Thursday, officials said.
Crews are still searching for Daniel Brown on the ground and in the air, but because of the recent weather and the clothing Brown was wearing when he went missing, officials changed search efforts from a search and rescue operation to a recovery operation, according to the Iron County Sheriff’s Office.
Brown was last seen in a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and athletic shoes.
Brown’s wife is aware and understanding of the change, law enforcement officials say.
Brown went missing Monday afternoon after his family’s van got stuck on a mountain road near Kane Springs, northwest of Parowan and southeast of Minersville. He left his family to get help and never came back.
Iron County Sheriff's Lt. Del Schlosser said Brown did not follow the road back the way he came, but rather was last seen walking out to a ridgeline and then continuing on.
If he had followed the road, the closest town is Minersville, about 8 to 10 miles away. Schlosser said the Brown family is homeless and would typically drive to the area where they became stuck to camp when they couldn't find a place to stay.
About 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, Brown's wife discovered that the cellphone she thought her husband had was actually in the car and she called 911, Schlosser said. He did not know why Daniel Brown didn't attempt to call 911 on Monday.
Since Monday night, the area where Brown went missing has had about 7 inches of new snow, which has since melted, and the temperature has dipped below 20 degrees, Schlosser said.
Tuesday deputies found Brown's wife and his four children, ages 7 months to 11 years old. All were cold but "in good health," the sheriff's office reported.
Anyone with information about this case should call law enforcement.
Contributing: Pat Reavy
