LOCAL NEWS

Authorities ramp up search for Dylan Rounds with criminal investigation

Jun 16, 2022, 10:28 PM | Updated: 11:33 pm

BOX ELDER COUNTY, Utah — The desperate search for missing 19-year-old Dylan Rounds in Box Elder County continued Thursday, with the Sheriff’s office announcing a criminal investigation.

Family members reported Rounds missing from his home on Memorial Day. Rounds, 19, is originally from eastern Idaho but has been living in Lucin, Utah, working to farm the land on his family’s property.

His mother, Candice Cooley, said he was last seen in Montello, Nevada, on May 26 and last heard from on Saturday, May 28 when he called his grandma early in the morning. They believe he was at his farm in Lucin at the time.

He told his grandma he would call her back later that day but never did.

Two and a half weeks into the search through the barren dessert that borders Nevada, Cooley said, “It’s been horrible because we don’t have anything.”

“We go down the rabbit hole and there’s nothing. We come back out of it, and we jump down another one and there’s still nothing,” she added.

Cooley said Rounds’ trucks, his equipment and his trailer are still on the property.

“His farm was his life,” she said. “For him to just walk away we knew was not a possibility.”

Box Elder County Chief Deputy Cade Palmer said volunteer teams have logged 300-plus hours of searching, covering more than 3,000 miles. Their detectives have spent 650 hours investigating the case, which is now considered a criminal investigation.

“If I could summarize this search, it would be difficult and exhausting,” Palmer said.

Palmer would not comment on the investigation but said they had not found anything new that would point them in the direction of where Rounds might be.

“That’s when things start looking like it’s not normal. There’s something else going on,” he said. “Whether you find evidence of a crime or not, he wasn’t in the area he was supposed to be in.”

As difficult as it was to hear “criminal investigation,” the words were overdue for Cooley, who has for a while believed there was some foul play involved in her son’s disappearance.

“We might be a little bit behind the boat, but at least it’s happening,” she said.

She also said the added investigation brings some relief, knowing that others are working around the clock to find answers about Rounds.

“You feel like you’re getting the help. It’s just a relief. It’s a weight off your shoulders. You feel like you don’t have to do it by yourselves. You’re not alone anymore.”

Cooley said she believes someone knows something and she’s determined to keep the attention on finding her son.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Breeze Airways announces new flights out of Provo to Dallas Fort Worth

Getting to the Lone Star State just got easier. Breeze Airways announced a new flights to Dallas Fort Worth from Provo.

15 minutes ago

(KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Data shows significant uptick in gas prices over past month in Salt Lake area

Gas prices rose considerably over the past month in the Salt Lake area, according to data from industry watchers.

1 hour ago

A UDOT snowplow clears the road in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Feb. 9. Up to 2 feet of snow or more is...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Rain, snow to impact many parts of Utah throughout Easter weekend

It might be spring, but winter weather remains in Utah's forecast for Easter weekend as the end of the traditional snowpack collection period nears.

3 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

13 hours ago

Matt Gephardt meeting with Denis Hawkins after a rental car company after they ignored his calls fo...

Matt Gephardt

Get Gephardt helps Spanish Fork man clear up insurance claim for rental car damage

Get Gephardt clears up an international rental car insurance standstill.

13 hours ago

small housing units...

Debbie Worthen

Utah’s micro-shelter pilot program gets extension to help homeless

A micro-shelter pilot program will stay in place for at least six more months.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Authorities ramp up search for Dylan Rounds with criminal investigation