An Army veteran who was missing for nearly three weeks and at one point was believed to have been in northeast Georgia, was found dead in Wyoming.
The father of 26-year-old Caleb Rios broke the news Thursday on Facebook.
“It breaks our hearts tremendously to share that today we received news notifying us that Caleb was found deceased in Wyoming,” wrote Eric Rios. On behalf of the family he thanked “each and every person who has taken a moment to share, pray, and help us in our mission to locate Caleb.”
A six-year military veteran, Caleb Rios recently left the U.S. Army Infantry and joined the Reserves. He and his wife were in the process of getting a divorce. Caleb temporarily moved in with his parents in O’Fallon, Missouri. It was there that they last saw him driving away early on the morning of October 1.
When Caleb’s older brother discovered searches on suicide and heaven in Caleb’s internet search history, the family grew worried. They discovered he had taken a gun from his father’s gun case and notified police.
The St. Charles County Police issued an endangered missing person report.
Nationwide search
Dateline NBC featured the search for Caleb on national news and Eric Rios’ pleas for help on social media spurred people in communities across the nation to be on the lookout.
That search briefly focused on northeast Georgia last week after reports surfaced that a woman thought she saw Caleb at Tallulah Gorge State Park.
“We continued to search here for Caleb up until the moment we were notified by his mother.” – Tallulah Falls Police Chief Tonya Elrod
Tallulah Falls Police Chief Tonya Elrod said although the woman was not “100% sure” her department treated the report “as if it was 100% him.”
Elrod spent last weekend searching the trails, lakes, and area for him. Tallulah Falls Police also stayed in touch with the Rios family, regularly updating them on their search efforts.
“It is with a sad and heavy heart that I had to post of the passing of Caleb Rios,” Chief Elrod tells Now Habersham. “We continued to search here for Caleb up until the moment we were notified by his mother. We searched every trail, roadway, and surrounding areas. We watched every car that we came in contact with in hopes of finding him and giving good news to the family. We do want to thank everyone that posted or called with information related to Caleb. Our hearts go out to the Rios family and are praying and will continue to pray for peace and comfort during this difficult time.”
Caleb Rios’ daughter will turn three years old at the end of this month.
“We are so thankful for everyone’s love and support through this time,” his father wrote. “Caleb was an outstanding father, son, brother, and friend with a heart bigger than you could imagine.
If you or anyone you know needs help, call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255
