A Runner Vanished in Wyoming’s Wild Wind River Range—6 Years Later, a Chilling Clue Surfaced
She was a fierce athlete, training for the Olympics, pounding the trails in one of America’s most rugged spots. On a sunny July day in 1997, 24-year-old Amy Wroe Bechtel headed out for a quick run in Wyoming’s Wind River Range to scout a race route—and never came back. Her car was found abandoned, keys inside, but no sign of her. For years, her family and a small town held onto hope amid whispers of dark secrets, a suspicious husband, and a lurking stranger. Then, 6 years later, a eerie find in the wilderness hinted at what might have happened, sending shivers through everyone involved. Was it foul play, a tragic accident, or something more sinister? The truth still haunts the mountains.
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In the summer of 1997, the Wind River Range in Wyoming was a runner’s paradise—vast, rugged, and alive with the kind of solitude that draws athletes seeking to push their limits. On July 24, 24-year-old Amy Wroe Bechtel laced up her Adidas sneakers, slipped on a yellow tank top and black shorts, and headed into the Shoshone National Forest near Lander. She was mapping out a 10K race route for a local event she was organizing, a task that fit her driven personality perfectly. Amy was no casual jogger; she was a record-breaking distance runner from the University of Wyoming, with dreams of qualifying for the 2000 Olympics. But that day, she vanished without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that has baffled investigators, torn apart a family, and fueled endless speculation. Six years later, in 2003, a chilling clue emerged from the wilderness, offering a glimmer of hope—or horror—that the truth might finally surface. Yet, nearly three decades on, Amy’s fate remains one of Wyoming’s most haunting unsolved cases.

A Life Full of Promise

Amy Wroe Bechtel grew up in the shadow of Wyoming’s mountains, born in California in 1972 but raised in Jackson and Douglas after her family moved there shortly after her birth. The youngest of four siblings, she was energetic and competitive from a young age. At the University of Wyoming, she excelled in track and cross-country, setting school records and earning a reputation as a fierce competitor. Her personal best in the marathon was an impressive 3:01, and she had her sights set on the Olympic trials. Off the track, Amy was warm and outgoing, with a passion for photography and outdoor adventures.

In 1992, while at UW, she met Steve Bechtel, a rock climbing enthusiast who shared her love for the outdoors. They bonded over fitness and exploration, marrying in June 1996 and settling in Lander, a small town nestled at the base of the Wind River Range. The couple worked part-time at Wild Iris Mountain Sports, a local gear shop, and Amy supplemented her income waiting tables at Sweetwater Grill and teaching youth weight-lifting classes at the Wind River Fitness Center. They had just bought a house and were in the midst of renovations, excited about building a life together. Steve, a well-known climber, often scouted routes in the area, while Amy trained rigorously on the trails.

On the morning of July 24, Amy taught her class at the fitness center, then ran errands in town. She stopped by Camera Connection around 2:30 p.m. to inquire about a photo contest, seeming hurried as she checked her watch repeatedly. The shop owner, Greg Wagner, later recalled her being in good spirits but focused. After that, she headed to the Loop Road in Shoshone National Forest, a scenic drive through the Wind River Range, to scout the race course. Witnesses reported seeing a woman matching her description jogging near Frye Lake around 4:30 p.m. That was the last confirmed sighting.

When Amy didn’t return home by evening, Steve grew concerned. He had spent the day scouting climbing spots in Dubois, about 70 miles away, with a friend. Returning around 4:30 p.m., he expected her back soon. By 10 p.m., he called her parents, Duane and JoAnne Wroe, asking if they’d heard from her. They hadn’t. Steve then contacted friends and drove around town looking for her white Toyota Tercel. When morning came with no sign of Amy, he reported her missing to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office.

The Search Begins

The response was swift and massive. Lander, a tight-knit community of about 7,000, rallied around the Bechtels. By July 25, Amy’s car was found parked at the Burnt Gulch turnout on Loop Road, unlocked, with her keys under a to-do list on the passenger seat. Her sunglasses were there too, but her green Eagle Creek wallet—containing cash, cards, and ID—was gone. Oddly, she never took her wallet running, preferring to leave it in the car. There were no signs of a struggle, no footprints leading away, nothing to suggest what happened.

Search teams descended on the area: over 200 volunteers, professional rescuers, tracking dogs, horses, helicopters equipped with infrared cameras, and even the National Guard. The Wind River Range is unforgiving—steep canyons, dense forests, and unpredictable weather—but the effort was exhaustive. Divers checked lakes, climbers rappelled cliffs, and dogs scoured miles of trails. After eight days, with no trace of Amy, authorities shifted from rescue to recovery, suspecting foul play. How could a fit runner like Amy simply disappear in broad daylight?

Theories emerged quickly. Some thought she might have fallen victim to wildlife—a bear or mountain lion attack—but no blood or torn clothing was found. Others speculated a hiking accident, like a fall into a ravine, but the search covered those areas thoroughly. The wallet’s absence hinted at robbery, but why leave the car and sunglasses? As days turned to weeks, suspicion turned inward.

Shadows of Suspicion

Steve Bechtel became the focus early on. Investigators noted minor inconsistencies in his timeline—his friend confirmed the Dubois trip, but no third-party witnesses placed him there during key hours. A search of their home uncovered Steve’s old journals, filled with dark poetry about power, death, and violence toward women. He claimed they were high school song lyrics, but the content was unsettling. Steve refused a polygraph test, citing its unreliability, and hired a high-profile lawyer, fueling rumors. On “The Geraldo Rivera Show” in February 1998, Amy’s sisters pleaded with him to cooperate more, but he denied involvement.

Amy’s family was divided. Her brother Nels recalled bruises on Amy and odd reactions when joking about Steve’s roughness, hinting at possible abuse. Others defended Steve, pointing to his genuine grief. The couple had argued mildly before her disappearance—about the house and Amy’s training—but nothing violent. Still, the journals and polygraph refusal cast a long shadow.

Another suspect emerged: Dale Wayne Eaton, a serial killer linked to the “Great Basin Murders.” Eaton, a drifter, was camping near Burnt Gulch around the time Amy vanished. His brother tipped off police in 1997, but the lead was overlooked. In 2002, Eaton was arrested for the 1988 rape and murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell, whose body was found in Wyoming. He confessed to other killings, potentially up to nine women across states. When confronted about Amy in 2013, Eaton refused to talk. His death sentence was commuted to life in 2023, taking any secrets to prison.

The Chilling Clue

For years, the case went cold. Amy’s story appeared in “People,” “Outside,” “Unsolved Mysteries,” and “Disappeared,” keeping hope alive. Rewards reached $100,000, but tips led nowhere. Then, in 2003—six years after her disappearance—a group of hikers found a watch along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, miles from where Amy’s car was parked. It matched her Timex Ironman Triathlon watch exactly. Nearby animal bones were tested but proved non-human. The discovery sent chills through investigators: Had Amy been carried there? Was it planted? Police couldn’t confirm it was hers—serial numbers were worn off—and the clue fizzled, adding to the frustration.

The watch’s location fueled theories. If Eaton was involved, he might have dumped evidence there. If Steve, perhaps a cover-up. Some speculated Amy staged her own disappearance, but her close ties and ambitions made that unlikely. Others pointed to a hit-and-run, with her body hidden. No evidence supported any definitively.

A Lingering Mystery

In 2004, Steve had Amy declared legally dead, allowing him to move on. He remarried, had children, and opened a climbing gym in Lander, insisting on his innocence. Amy’s family, especially her parents, endured the pain of no closure. JoAnne Wroe passed in 2015, Duane in 2020, both without answers. Her siblings continue advocating, but leads are scarce.

The Wind River Range holds its secrets tight. In an era before widespread cell phones and GPS, Amy’s vanishing feels like a relic of a more isolated time. Modern forensics—DNA from the watch or car—have been retested, but nothing new. Eaton’s silence and Steve’s steadfast denial leave the case in limbo. As Sergeant John Zerga, who took over in 2010, said, “I believe Eaton knows something.” But without proof, it’s speculation.

Amy Wroe Bechtel’s story is a reminder of how quickly life can change on a familiar trail. Her family clings to memories of her vibrant spirit, while Wyoming’s mountains stand silent. If you know something, tips to Fremont County Sheriff’s Office could finally bring peace. Until then, Amy remains lost in the winds.