September 9, 2025
NEWS RELEASE
RE: Remembering Missing Persons in East Idaho
This time of year, area Law Enforcement and Elected Officials take a moment to remember missing persons from our area and raise awareness in the community. The timing of which has traditionally been centered around September 14th, 2001, the day 20-year-old Amber Hoopes went missing from her grandparent’s residence in Bonneville County. Taking a moment to remember the missing and recognize their families is important as a community, and at the same time may produce new information that could further an investigation.
The Hoopes case and several others in East Idaho are still considered active cases by the Law Enforcement agencies working them. Despite the passing of time, investigators continue to follow up on tips and apply new technologies to evidence hoping to further their progress. Detectives who carry these cases take each bit of new information seriously as they desire to bring closure and answers to families involved. “We never stop looking,” said Bonneville County Sheriff’s Captain Tony Glenn. “Our team understands how these cases affect families and have the same drive to find answers, share the frustration when there are no answers, but continue doing the work as new information comes available.”
Today Bonneville County Commissioners, Idaho Falls City Council Members, and the Idaho Falls Mayor gathered at the Bonneville County Courthouse to help once again bring community awareness by signing a Joint Proclamation declaring September 14th, 2025 as Missing Person Day. The signing was attended by Law Enforcement from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department as well as members of the community. “The story never ends,” said Commissioner John Walker. “Everyone continues to work toward solving these cases for the families in our community.”
Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper highlighted the importance of city and county officials joining in this proclamation together and asking what we as a community can do to aide in these investigations. Idaho Falls Police Chief Bryce Johnson spoke to the importance of timely reporting of missing persons so investigation and collaboration between agencies can begin as soon as possible. Capt. Glenn echoed those words, adding to it no matter how significant or insignificant pieces of information may be or if someone thinks its already been reported, it’s best to come forward with it to lessen the chances of something being missed.
A special recognition was given to Audra Bergner, Amber Hoopes Aunt, who was unable to attend the signing today as she recovers from surgery out of state. Audra has been a driving force to bring these events together each year so families of those still missing know they are not forgotten. Holding this remembrance near the September 14th anniversary of when Amber Hoopes went missing holds a special place in the heart of the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, as they are bonded together with the Hoopes family sharing the same hope Amber will someday be found.
Notable missing persons cases from our area in addition to the Amber Hoopes case from 2001 include:
– Darwin Vest, missing since June 3rd, 1999 from downtown Idaho Falls (Investigating Agency: Idaho Falls Police Department)
– Chris Holverson, missing since May 16th, 1998 from the Table Rock Campground area east of Heise (Investigating Agency: Madison County Sheriff’s Office)
– Deor Kunz, missing since July 10th, 2015 from the Timber Creek Campground (Investigating Agency: Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office)
More Missing person and cold case information can be found on various sites including the Idaho Missing Person Clearing House and the Idaho Cold Case Social Media platforms.
Anyone with information about the Amber Hoopes case, or any other missing persons in our area, please contact the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office or your local Law Enforcement to report it. With these cases and any other criminal activity, anonymous tips and information can be shared online via East Idaho Crime Stoppers at www.IFcrime.org.
