In the late summer of 2025, 35-year-old David Edward Hepfer of Illinois embarked on what was described as an extended hiking and camping trip out west. An enthusiastic outdoorsman, it was not unusual for him to be out of touch with his family for periods. His last contact with his family was on September 9, 2025. He was subsequently seen in the remote Yaak area of Lincoln County, Montana, on September 12, 2025. From that point, David has not been seen or heard from again. Concern grew when his vehicle was discovered under unusual circumstances. On September 17, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents came across his white 2021 Toyota Corolla in the Northwest Peak area within the Pete Creek drainage. The agents initially investigated the vehicle to see if it was related to an illegal border crossing.
They found the car in a location that was not near any established trailhead, campsite, or scenic area, which struck officials as peculiar for someone on a camping trip.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, law enforcement found David's camping gear, keys, and other personal belongings still inside. Border Patrol agents were able to contact David's roommate, who confirmed he had been planning to camp in northwest Montana. An attempt to ping his phone revealed no activity for the preceding 48 hours. The discovery prompted an immediate and thorough search of the vast, rugged wilderness. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, along with David Thompson Search and Rescue teams, deployed search dogs and drones to scour the area surrounding where the car was found. Despite these extensive efforts, no sign of David was discovered, and he was officially entered as a missing person.
The case took another turn on October 3, 2025, when the Creston Royal Canadian Mounted Police, just across the border in British Columbia, received information that David may have crossed into Canada from Montana. Reports indicated he was despondent around the time he disappeared. His current whereabouts remain unknown. David is described as a white male, standing between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and weighing between 180 and 220 pounds. He has blue eyes, a bald head, and had brown facial hair at the time he went missing. The investigation into his disappearance is ongoing, led by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. The case is a perplexing one, beginning with a man on a solo camping adventure in the remote Montana wilderness, the subsequent discovery of his vehicle and possessions in an odd location, and later reports of a possible border crossing while in a distressed state of mind, leaving family and investigators searching for answers.Last Seen: Sep 13, 2025
