On July 2, 2023, 52-year-old Robert White and his companion, 59-year-old James Martin, embarked on a kayaking trip on the Carson River, setting off near the Brunswick Canyon area in Carson City, Nevada. The two men, who resided in the Mound House area, were expected to return later that same day from their recreational outing. When they did not come back as planned and all contact was lost, concerns for their safety grew, prompting the Carson City Sheriff's Office to be notified on July 5. Authorities immediately began an investigation and initiated a search operation in the rugged canyon area. Their vehicle was soon located, still parked where they had left it, but there was no sign of either Robert or James.
The search for the two missing men intensified in the days that followed. The river conditions were perilous; due to a year of substantial rainfall and record snowfall, the Carson River's waters were abnormally high, fast, and filled with dangerous debris. Search and rescue teams, assisted by drones, scoured the river from the Deer Run Bridge down to Dayton, but the dense brush along the riverbanks severely hampered visibility. On July 8, a volunteer kayaker tragically discovered a body lodged in debris in the river, approximately 1.7 miles east of the Brunswick Canyon Bridge. A specialized swift water rescue team from the Carson City Fire Department was dispatched to recover the remains from the dangerous rapids. The deceased individual was later identified as James Martin. Authorities noted that it appeared both men lacked significant kayaking experience and were not using proper safety equipment for the hazardous conditions.
Following the recovery of his friend, the search continued tirelessly for Robert White. Despite the extensive efforts of search teams and volunteers, he remained missing. The case saw a significant development much later when, on December 5, 2025, human remains were discovered by the Carson River near the Trainwreck Rapids in Brunswick Canyon. Responding to the scene, Carson City Search and Rescue and sheriff's detectives recovered several pieces of human remains, along with clothing and other artifacts. Based on the artifacts found at the location, investigators believe the remains could possibly be those of Robert Lawson White. His family has since been notified of the discovery. The remains were collected and transported to the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office to undergo formal scientific analysis for a definitive identification. The case began as a search for two missing friends who went on a kayaking adventure and took a tragic turn with the discovery of one, leaving the fate of the other unknown for an extended period until evidence surfaced suggesting a sorrowful conclusion.
Last Seen: Jul 05, 2023
