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MAPLETON, Garfield County — A search is underway right now in Garfield County for a 32-year-old father from Mapleton, who was last heard from almost a week ago.
On Jan. 27 Austin Madsen, of Mapleton, sent a video to a friend from a snow-covered mountain in Southern Utah — it was the last communication anyone received from him.
"He just wanted to leave Mapleton to get away and clear his head and was heading to Arizona, south of Kanab, but something distracted him and took him to Mount Dutton, until he got his truck stuck in the snow," Aron Madsen, Austin's father said.
Aron Madsen says Austin Madsen is bipolar and every few years, suffers a mental health crisis. He says during those difficult moments, Austin Madsen's first reaction is to run away.
"I don't know if it's out of embarrassment or the psychosis has him going down a rabbit hole somewhere, but it's extremely painful and frustrating for the family that loves him, because he's a very loveable and enjoyable person to be around," Aron Madsen said.
Mapleton police were able to ping Austin's cellphone to Garfield County. A member of the Iron County Search and Rescue team then used topography to pinpoint the location of the video to the Dry Hollow area of Mount Dutton, where rescuers found his vehicle. Over the weekend, rescuers were able to locate and follow a trail of footprints that lasted several miles and are believed to belong to Austin Madsen.
"We know he can find resources and ways to survive, despite the psychosis he's probably suffering right now," Aron Madsen told KSL-TV.
Austin Madsen is married with two young boys, ages 2 and nearly 5 months. Austin's wife, Emily Madsen, shared a message on her Facebook page:
"Keep praying everyone. Let's bring my Austin home safe with our family. Thank you all for your love and for being so helpful. God bless you all."
Austin Madsen is described as having an adventurous heart, his family says he has many friends because of his lovable heart.
"We're sustained by faith and prayers of hundreds of people now because of the impact this man has had on so many lives," Aron Madsen said.
He worries that Austin's mania has hijacked his own stability and that he'll hide from rescuers who are trying to bring him to safety.
He says he's grateful to the search and rescue teams for risking their lives in an effort to bring his son home.
"Words can't describe gratitude, for risking life and limb," he said. "For people to risk their own lives, if it's, you know, sub-zero weather with wind chill, and (use) their resources, how do you repay that? How do you express that gratitude? You can't."
Aron Madsen believes his son has likely left the Mount Dutton area.
He says hot springs are one of his favorite places to visit while suffering a mental health crisis.
