February 13, 2026
UPDATED NEWS RELEASE
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is sad to report at approximately 10am this morning Mr. Gardner was located in the Sellars Creek area of Bingham County deceased. Detectives from the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Bingham County Coroner’s office are investigating to determine if any other factors aside from exposure to the elements are a factor in Mr. Gardner’s death.
A search for Mr. Gardner began Tuesday evening after his van was located near the Bone Rd. and Blackfoot Reservoir Rd. intersection. Deputies followed footprints in the snow that ended a short distance away from the van and could not be picked up again in the terrain.
Search efforts resumed through this morning until Mr. Gardner was found approximately 5 miles from his van in the Sellars Creek area by a K-9 search team. Deputies and Search and Rescue Volunteers from Bonneville and Bingham Counties took part in search operations utilizing drones and winter rescue equipment. Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue Unit, Bitterroot Search Dogs, and the Snake River Search Dogs also assisted along with a number of Mr. Gardner’s friends and family.
Our thoughts are with the Gardner family at this time, and we appreciate the assistance from the many volunteers and search teams operating in constantly changing winter conditions and mountainous terrain.
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original release:
February 11, 2026
NEWS RELEASE
Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputies are seeking the public’s help in locating 42-year-old Deric F. Gardner of Ammon. Gardner’s vehicle, a white van, was located on private property near the area of Bone Rd. and the Blackfoot Reservoir Rd. in Bonneville County yesterday (Feb. 10th) and reported to Deputies around 6:45pm. Deputies located foot tracks in the snow leading away from the vehicle but did not locate Mr. Gardner.
Deputies made contact with Mr. Gardner’s family at his residence, finding that he had not been seen or heard from since approximately 2:30pm. A search of the area was initiated utilizing Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Drone Teams, and Search and Rescue volunteers through the night, this morning and throughout today.
At this time Mr. Gardner’s whereabouts are still unknown and Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams from Bingham and Bonneville Counties are continuing search efforts in the Bone area, including portions of Bingham County. Gardner is described as being 6′ tall, approximately 190 lbs, with Brown hair and Blue eyes and may be wearing a lighter flannel type jacket.
Deputies are asking anyone who may have information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Gardner to contact the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office immediately through dispatch at 208-529-1200.
