Search suspended for 3 Utah men on Arizona treasure hunt

After more than a week of searching the Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Ariz., the hunt for three Utah hikers ended Monday when it became clear they could not be alive.

"It is sad," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "We had a lot of resources covering 96 miles, and more than 300 volunteers and manpower."

The three middle-aged men parked their car and began their hike with only but a bottle of water, Arpaio said.

"We tried everything," Arpaio said. "When you look for six or seven days in this heat the possibility of them being alive is very nil."

Arpaio said no trace of the men had been found — no fires, no debris. There are mines they may have wandered into, but there is no water in the Superstitions, he said.

"It is very puzzling. These three men go off, and it is very, very hot. They disappeared in the Superstition Mountains looking for gold."

The hikers' vehicle was found on July 11 at the First Water Trailhead.

Four helicopters and one plane equipped with thermal imaging equipment were utilized for the search.

The families of Kurtis Merworth, Ardean Charles and Malcolm Meeks were in the Valley Monday but could not immediately be reached for comment.

It was the third time Merworth had come to the Superstitions looking for treasure. Searchers rescued him from the terrain in May 2009.

His mother, Carol, described him as "gold crazy," in an interview before the search was suspended.

"He was certain he was going to find this mine," she said.

Sheriff's spokesman Brian Lee said that even though the search has been called off, "We want the public to keep their eyes open. Something doesn't fit here."

He said that there was a possibility the three men never made it into the mountains.