UPDATE: Man missing in Custer County was killed, say deputies; suspect in custody
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CHALLIS – Multiple search teams are looking for the body of a man who’s been missing since Thursday.
Patrick Shelton, 47, of Challis, reportedly went into the mountains to cut firewood on May 8, according to a news release from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office. He was supposed to be back on Saturday around 3 p.m. but never returned.
In a news release Monday evening, the sheriff’s office said Shelton was killed.
“Due to concurrent investigation, the disappearance of Patrick Shelton has been officially deemed a homicide,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “The Custer County Sheriff’s Office has taken a suspect into custody. The investigation is ongoing at this time.”
The name of the suspect was not released, and Shelton’s body had not been found as of Monday evening.
Deputies found Shelton’s red 2001 Dodge Ram flatbed pickup around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Authorities didn’t specify where they found it, but the sheriff’s office, along with numerous other search teams, including Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, were searching in the vicinity of the vehicle. Two dog teams and thermal imaging drones were involved as well.