Missing couple's dog could be key to search efforts

The family of a Kearns couple believed to be missing in the harsh backcountry of southern Utah is urging people to look for their dog and the truck they were last seen driving.

Medusa, a cinnamon-chocolate colored Basenji mix, was believed to be with Tom and Tamitha Garner when they vanished Jan. 26. Family members say the dog may have a dog coat on and little booties.

"This could be a big help in locating Tom and Tamitha," Jack Retallick, Tamitha's brother, wrote in an e-mail to the Deseret Morning News.

The families included more photos, which law enforcement said could help in finding the Garners.

"The dog could have gotten free and someone could have found her wandering," said Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower. "As trivial as it sounds, it may develop a lead."

Law enforcement officials in Utah and Nevada plan a few more searches in the high-country desert near the border, but acknowledged that their search is starting to wind down. An airplane and a snowmobile crew was out searching remote Iron County again on Wednesday.

Gower said his office will begin looking at other possibilities, including that the Garners may be victims of foul play.

Ange Garner, Tom's sister-in-law, said they are urging everyone to look for their gray 1999 Dodge Dakota truck with a scorpion sticker in the back window and Utah license plate 793 URF.

"Any pawn shop owners in the surrounding states, we ask that you check your records and see if anyone pawned a Cannon 35mm digital camera," she said.

The families offered their thanks to law enforcement and those who have helped them search, either with supplies or manpower.

Searchers have covered thousands of miles of rugged terrain searching for the Garners, who were last seen Jan. 26 buying gas at a Panaca, Nev., station. They told family members they were going out into the rural area to photograph wild horses.

Snowstorms could have trapped the couple on the back roads, but air and ground searches have turned up nothing. Family and friends have also done some searching on their own, but authorities have discouraged them because of the danger.

On Saturday, volunteer Iron County Search and Rescue team member Leroy Davenport was searching an area about 80 miles from Cedar City when he got stuck in the snow. After exerting himself to get free, Gower said Davenport, 37, went home complaining that he wasn't feeling well.

He died early Sunday morning. An autopsy will determine his exact cause of death.

In a statement, the Garner's daughter, Krystal, extended her sympathies and gratitude for Davenport.

"To us, his sacrifice is no different than a police officer, firefighter or soldier laying down their life for their country," she said.

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E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com