Gabby Petito Case Leads To Discovery Of Missing Hiker's Body In The Same Forest In Wyoming
The body of Texas man Robert “Bob” Lowery is believed to have been found after the case of Gabby Petito sparked new information and search efforts.
According to the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, Lowery was last seen on August 20 in Bridger-Teton National Forest near Grand Teton National Park, the same area where Petito’s remains were discovered.
The hiker was reportedly carrying a sleeping bag and a tent when he was last seen in the area. Law enforcement investigated his disappearance for over a month, to no avail.
After the Petito case took over headlines across the nation, more names of missing persons in the same Wyoming area started to circulate, including that of Lowery.
Two residents of the Teton area were able to recognize Lowery’s image on the news and came forward with details of a possible sighting. They reportedly told police that they saw Lowery alone on August 20 around 3 p.m. at the Black Canyon Trail.
On Tuesday, September 28, a team of volunteers and search dogs were sent to the trail where they would look for Lowery for four hours.
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At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities reported that they located a body fitting the description of Lowery, along with the black duffle bag he was last seen with. Authorities have not yet released a cause of death.
His sister, Leigh Lowery, has been vocal on social media about her brother’s disappearance, including asking her followers to help locate him.
“The good news about it has been Bob got pulled into a bunch of articles, so it actually drew a bunch of attention from people that I know,” his sister told Jackson Hole News and Guide.
She also posted on Instagram to honor her late brother and give an official statement from the family.
“The Teton County Sheriff’s Office informed our family this afternoon that the Search and Rescue Team located a body that fits the description of Robert “Bob” Lowery near Black Canyon Trail. We await the Teton Count, WY coroner’s report,” she wrote.
“At this time, we especially want to thank Teton County Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Sachse and his department for all of their work during this month that Bob has been missing. We also appreciate the search today by Teton County Search and Rescue volunteer teams and the care and concern demonstrated by so many in the Jackson Hole news media and community. We also thank all of you for your support and prayers,” she continued.
“Bob has been a wonderful father, son, brother and friend. Our family wants to thank the news media and others involved in the search for our privacy at this difficult time,” the post concluded.
