Cold Case: Utah Boy Scout Disappears While Fishing With Pack

Detectives in northern Utah were recently reminded of a cold case involving a child who vanished while walking from where he and his dad were fishing back to their tent over 20 years ago.

What was meant to be a Boy Scout outing and fishing trip to a beautiful, remote region of Utah, approximately 80 miles east of Salt Lake City, became a nightmare on the afternoon of August 20, 2004.

Losing a child seems unimaginable. Losing a child when you had eyes on him/her after they walked a short distance away to do something as routine as changing clothing must be even more excruciating.

Utah Child Still Missing From Boy Scout Trip After 21 Years

The 21st anniversary of the disappearance of Garrett Bardsley just passed on Wednesday (August 20). Garrett was a Boy Scout and was 12 years old when he vanished while fishing near his father at Cuberant Lake.

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According to Missing People in America, Garrett was in the process of walking back to his tent to change clothing when his dad lost sight of him. A massive search of more than 200 people quickly got underway, but he has never been found.

Garrett would be 34 years old today.

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The theory that most makes sense in this case is that the boy was dragged away by a bear or mountain lion. Articles of clothing (socks) were found near where the pack was fishing. The distance from where he and his dad were fishing to the tent was estimated to be about 150 yards, according to MPIA.

If you have any information that can help Utah authorities solve this case, call the Summit County Sheriff's Office at (435) 615-3600.