January 31, 2008
Utah Couple Missing in Lincoln County

Tamitha Garner Photo provided by Lincoln County Sheriff

Thomas Garner Photo provided by Lincoln County Sheriff

By Dave Maxwell, Staff Writer

Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee reported Jan. 29, his office received information about two people from the Salt Lake City area thought to be missing in the Nevada/Utah border area since Jan. 26. Lee said his office was advised that Thomas and Tamitha Garner were traveling in a grey 1999 Dodge Dakota truck with Utah plates #793URF. They also had a chocolate colored dog with them. The Sheriff’s office was working in conjunction with Iron, Beaver, and Salt Lake County Sheriff’s departments and the White Pine County department. With their assistance, as well as the Civil Air Patrol, the Nevada Air Guard, and the counties Search and Rescue teams, a two-state search effort was begun.

Bank transaction records show the couple used their credit card to buy gas at the Y Shell in Panaca around Noon Saturday. Video surveillance cameras at the station also show the vehicle traveling from Panaca toward Utah on SR319 after getting gas. But family members in Utah reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff the couple had not been heard from since and did not arrive in St. George as expected.

Weather conditions late in the afternoon, Jan. 29 hampered the search efforts due to snow, ice, terrain. Nighttime temperatures in the area have been well below freezing.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s office said they learned from family members, the couple was in the White Pine, Lincoln County area photographing wild mustangs and may have taken off-road trails. Dr. Adam Levy of Eagle Valley, also flew his plane over areas between Wilson Creek and Beaver Dam, but did not see anything before clouds moved in.

After learning the Dodge truck was seen heading east on Highway 319, the Sheriff’s department said most of the search efforts would be focused along that route and on into Utah.

Any information on the location of the couple can be relayed to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office at 775-962-5151.