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Alex Cabrero reporting The body of a missing man was found earlier this month near Rock Springs, Wyoming. He was hitch-hiking to Jackson Hole, to go snowboarding with his friends. He never made it. Police think his unique snowboard could be the clue that breaks the case.
Benjamin Bradley was just 28-years old when he disappeared. He lived in Grand County, Colorado, and was hitchhiking to meet some friends in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to go snowboarding this past June. He called his friends when he made it to Rock Springs.
David Gray, Sheriff of Sweetwater County, Wyo.: "He did place a phone call to his friends in Jackson about 8:58pm on the 2nd of June. That's the last time anybody has heard from him."
It was the last time anybody saw or heard from him until earlier this month. His body was found about 25 miles North of Rock Springs near Boar's Tusk, a lone rock monument standing in the middle of an open, desolate valley.
David Gray, Sheriff of Sweetwater County, Wyo.: "It's not something that you just all of a sudden decide you're going to drive off US 191 north and take a trip up in that area."
Bradley's body was found by some sight-seers, but because he had been out from June to October, his body was decomposed. Investigators sent some samples to a DNA lab looking for any evidence.
David Gray, Sheriff of Sweetwater County, Wyo.: "We are treating it as a homicide, and are investigating it as such."
The biggest piece of evidence though, might be what so far hasn't been found. It is Bradley's snowboard; The only one of its kind that splits into skis and has this graphic. The NS stands for Never Summer, the company that made the board for Bradley.
Investigators believe whoever killed him took the snowboard. They may still have it or they may have sold it.
If it turns up this ski season at a resort, it could help investigators find Bradley's killer.
David Gray, Sheriff of Sweetwater County, Wyo.: "It's a big clue. In fact, it's a very important piece of information that we would very much like to have."
The Sweetwater County sheriff's office has been in touch with several ski resorts, including those here in Utah, to be on the lookout for this snowboard. They'd like skiers and boarders to do the same. If you see it, give them a call.
