Bonneville Co. Searching For Idaho Falls Man
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an Idaho Falls man who disappeared Friday afternoon. It’s now being labeled as a recovery mission.
Police said David Finnegan took his dogs for a walk and never came home. They said he was last seen at Gem Lake Marina along the Snake River.
Authorities said they don’t suspect foul play, but believe this was a horrible accident. They presume Finnegan to be dead, with his body in the river.
Eighteen divers from both Bonneville and Bingam counties are searching for the body.
Search and Rescue crews analyzed sonar and video images sent from an underwater robot named Jake. The eerily still river may hold the key to the disappearance of 46-year-old Finnegan.
“We were notified last night about 7:30, 8 o’ clock by the gentleman’s wife,” said Bonneville County Sgt. and Dive Team Commander Karl Casperson. “He’d come out here every day and walk his dogs. He left about 4:15 yesterday afternoon and didn’t come home, so she came out to try and find him.”
Casperson said Finnegan’s wife found his car parked in it’s usual spot and the couple’s two labradors running around.
“(She) found one of the dog’s harnesses and it was frozen solid. The dogs themselves were wet when she found them,” said Casperson.
Police said Finnegan may have gone into the water after the animals.
Finnegan’s wife has not released a picture to authorities or the media, but police described the Idaho Falls man as 6’2″ 2, 220 lbs., and last seen wearing tan pants, work boots, a dark blue or black jacket with a hoodie underneath.. and a hat.
After scouring trails on foot, nearby fields on ATVs, and the entire area from Portneuf Medical Center’s helicopter, the Saturday efforts were focused on the water.
Crews narrowed in on a spot 30 yards out where they found gray, fleece earmuffs and a heavy duty winter hat.
Casperson said Finnegan’s wife confirmed the items belonged to her husband.
Divers entered the water for two hours on Saturday afternoon and found a dog leash about 40 yards up stream from where they had been looking.
Police said Finnegan and his wife moved to the area within the last year from the East coast.
Casperson said search efforts will resume on Sunday morning.
Bonneville County also received assistance from Bingham County Search and Rescue and the Idaho Falls Fire Department.
