Search continues for missing couple, family remains optimistic

CEDAR CITY — As the search continued in southern Utah and Nevada for a Kearns couple last seen nearly a week ago, family members remained optimistic about the chances of finding them safe.

"I think the best way to describe it right now ... we're fearing the worst but praying for the best. We're being realistic with the temperatures and how long they've been out there," said Jack Retallick, brother of Tamitha Garner.

Garner and her husband, Tom, were last seen Saturday headed from Ely, Nev. to St. George.

Thursday, searchers, including the Civil Air Patrol, were back in southern Utah over Iron County and Lincoln County, Nev., in planes and on the road looking for the couple.

Iron County Sheriff's deputies said they were frustrated that they hadn't found any sign of the Garners.

"We've got no real direction and hundreds and hundreds of miles to look over," Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower said Thursday.

Tom and Tamitha left their Kearns home last week to go on a trip for Tamitha's birthday. They visited Bryce Canyon and then went to Ely to photograph wild mustangs, Retallick said.

"(Tom's) hobby and passion is photographing nature and landscapes," he said.

On the morning of Jan. 26, the couple began a trek from Ely back to St. George where they planned to spend the evening. As she always does, Tamitha called her daughter Krystal to let her know she was leaving.

"My sister is adamant about calling and checking in. 'This is where we're at, this is where we're going.' She calls two to three times a day," Retallick said. "She could be in the same house and (Tamitha) could be text messaging (her daughter). They have that type of relationship."

Video surveillance and bank records confirm the Garners were in Panaca, Nev. buying gas. That was the last trace of the couple. Since then, there has been no cell phone activity or bank account activity on either person's account.

Later that afternoon, Krystal tried calling her parents, but kept getting the voice message on their cell phones.

"It appears they've gone dead or been turned off," Gower said.