Utah County man last seen on Sept. 11 found dead

SPANISH FORK, Utah (KUTV) — The search for a Utah County man who had been missing for 10 days has come to a tragic end, authorities announced.

The body of Blayne Parkin, who was last seen on Sept. 11, was discovered Saturday in a remote area of ​​Uintah County, authorities said.

Parkin was found dead about 1.25 miles from his abandoned vehicle. The discovery came after an extensive multi-agency search that began on September 14.

Uintah County Sheriff's officials initiated the search after receiving information that Parkin may have last been seen at an oil field in the county. During the initial search, a mobile home body belonging to Parkin was located at an oil field.

The search expanded when the Civil Air Patrol found Parkin's vehicle about 40-45 miles from the RV on September 18. The vehicle was found in a remote area of ​​Uintah County, about 5 miles west of the Colorado border.

In the days that followed, search operations intensified, with ground and air personnel involved. Dog squads were also deployed on Friday, leading to the discovery of Parkin's body on Saturday.

“Investigators are currently still examining the scene, but there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances,” the Uintah County Sheriff's Office said.

His body will be taken to the Utah Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death.

“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Blayne Parkin and our gratitude to Uintah County Search and Rescue, Civil Air Patrol, Department of Public Safety, Dogs at Work, Rocky Mountain Search Dogs, Utah Search Dogs, Utah County Search Dogs, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Ute Tribe Search and Rescue and the Utah County Sheriff's Office,” the Uintah County Sheriff's Office said.

Matthew Jacobson reported from Salt Lake City