Overview

• Name: DeOrr Jay Kunz Jr.
• Age at Disappearance: 2
• Date of Disappearance: July 10, 2015
• Location: Timber Creek Campground, near Leadore, Lemhi County, Idaho
• Status: Missing, presumed deceased
• Official Status: Case remains open with no arrests or charges. Initially investigated as both a missing person and potential homicide.

Detailed Investigative Timeline

July 9, 2015

• 5:00 PM: Vernal Finished work for the day.
• 6:00 PM: The family packs the truck and leaves Idaho Falls for the camping trip.
  Jessica Mitchell and Vernal DeOrr Kunz Sr picks up Robert “Bob” Walton (Jessica’s grandfather) and his friend, Isaac Reinwand.
• 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM: Vernal stops for diesel during the drive. No independent witness is documented as seeing DeOrr at this stop.
• 8:30 PM: The caravan arrives in Leadore and attempts to eat at a restaurant. The restaurant is closed. There are no confirmed independent sightings of DeOrr at this location.
  The family instead buys snacks at a convenience store in Leadore. Again, there are no documented independent sightings of DeOrr.
• 9:30 PM: The group arrives at Timber Creek Campground and goes to bed.

July 10, 2015

• 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. – Jessica asks Vernal to drive back into Leadore to purchase feminine products.
• 11:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. – Vernal, Jessica, and presumably DeOrr arrive in Leadore. No independent witnesses confirm seeing DeOrr during this time.
• 12:30 p.m. –  A receipt shows Vernal and Jessica purchasing items at the convenience store in Leadore. The transaction documents Vernal and Jessica, but no one independently records seeing DeOrr. Vernal and Jessica shop around in town, including the Stage Stop convenience store. DeOrr is presumed to be with them, but no confirmed witness places him there.
• 12:38 p.m. – Jessica texts her mother stating that they are leaving the store in Leadore.
• 1:00 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. – The family arrives back at the campsite at Timber Creek Campground.
• 1:30 p.m. – This is DeOrr’s usual nap time, according to later accounts.
• 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Jessica, Isaac, and Vernal leave the immediate campsite area to go down to the creek to fish. DeOrr is believed to have been left in the care of Grandpa Bob at or near the fire ring and picnic table.
• 2:10 p.m. – Vernal and Jessica realize that DeOrr is missing.
• 2:28 p.m. – According to the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office, this is the logged time of Jessica’s 911 call.  Source
• 2:30 p.m – DeOrr Kunz Jr. is last seen at the campsite. Accounts vary whether he was with his parents or left in the care of his great-grandfather.
• Parents claim they went to check a nearby creek and left DeOrr with Walton.
• 3:52 p.m – Search-and-rescue teams arrive shortly after. First responders include the Lemhi County Sheriff, US Forest Service personnel, and volunteers.
  Immediate area is searched extensively including roads, water, woodlands, and mines.

July 11, 2015

• Intensive search involving helicopters, K9 units, drones, and hundreds of volunteers.
• No trace of DeOrr is found.
• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office begins to consider alternate theories including possible abduction or foul play.

July 12, 2015

• The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office reports nearly 200 volunteers show up to look for Deorr.

July 13, 2015

• Parents Interview with with EastIdahoNews.com Source
• They say they no longer believe he’s lost but think someone may have abducted their son and make a plea for his safe return.
• That evening around 200 people gather in Idaho Falls for a candlelight vigil.

July 14 & 15

• Search efforts continue near the campground. Dive crews focus on the Stone Reservoir located about a quarter of a mile from where the family was camping.
• Deorr’s parents remain camped near the site as deputies search the creek once again and determine Deorr is not there.

July 16

• A representative from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children arrives in Leadore.
• Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn D. Bowerman posts an update on Facebook clarifying remarks on the search.

July 17

• The Bonneville County Sheriff’s dive team is called in to help search the reservoir. Divers use a sonar robot to assist in foggy waters.

July 22, 2015

• Sheriff Lynn Bowerman publicly states that there is no evidence supporting an animal attack or abduction scenario.
  Lemhi Sheriff on Deorr Kunz:  “We Do Not Suspect Foul Play” Source

August 2015

• Both parents are named as “persons of interest” by the sheriff’s office. Source
• Law enforcement states that inconsistencies exist in the parents’ statements.
• Possible polygraph tests are reported by investigators but not publicly released.

September 15, 2015

• Private investigator Frank Vilt tells the press he is attempting to locate a man later referred to as the “creep in the Jeep”, based on a story that an unkempt man in a black Jeep Rubicon was seen buying candy for a crying blond toddler around 6 p.m. at Stage Stop on July 10. This account is not independently verified.

September 25, 2015

• Private investigator formally withdraws, accuses parents of lying and obstructing search. Frank Vilt Sr., a retired U.S. Marshal and private investigator hired by the family, sends a formal withdrawal letter to Vernal DeOrr Kunz and Jessica Mitchell. Source
• Vilt states he is withdrawing due to a breach of trust, refusal by the parents to allow national attention, and resistance to offering a $20,000 reward he was prepared to fund himself.
• In the letter, Vilt writes:
• “I told both of you that if I felt that you were not telling the truth, stalling me, or otherwise misleading me, that I would withdraw from the investigation.”
• “In my professional opinion, both of you lied and misrepresented the true facts that could solve the mystery of your missing son.”
• He further states he now believes:
• “Searches will all be nonproductive.”
• “The searches are only used by you to cover a possible crime that one or both of you may have committed.”
• Vilt accuses the parents of spreading rumors that he had been paid and states he was never reimbursed for expenses. He closes with:
• “Sooner or later, the truth will come out.”

January 26, 2016

• Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman announced Monday that the parents of a 2-year-old boy who went missing in July are suspects in the disappearance. Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman says Jessica Mitchell and DeOrr Kunz Sr. have been “less than truthful.” Source
• Bowerman states both parents have been “less than truthful”, citing multiple polygraph tests conducted by the sheriff’s office and the FBI. Source
• Investigators say “little things” in the parents’ accounts have changed over time, including details about the campsite and whether a dog was brought into town. Sheriff Bowerman comments:
• “The polygraph examinations, and we’re talking about multiple polygraph examinations of both the parents, indicate that they’re being less than truthful with us.”
• “The child was not abducted by an animal or by a human, not likely, and this was possibly a homicide or an accidental death.”
• Bowerman adds that charges could still be filed, but the office is cautious to avoid double jeopardy if DeOrr’s remains are found.
•  Both the grandfather and the family friend were also questioned by the FBI during this period.

January, 2016

• The investigation is transferred from Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office to private investigator Philip Klein at the request of the family.
• Klein Investigations begin independent probes and interviews.

March 1, 2016

• Private investigator Philip Klein publicly claims that Jessica told him, “I know where the body is.”
• Lemhi County officials later state they do not consider this a credible lead. There is no known official record of this statement in Klein’s recorded 10-hour interview with Jessica.

June 2016

• Searches at Timber Creek are relaunched. Some clothing is located near a creek bed but is not confirmed to be connected to the case.
• Klein states that the parents failed portions of their polygraph tests.

July 15, 2016

• A child’s camouflage jacket, similar to the one DeOrr was reportedly wearing when he disappeared, is found in Jessica and Vernal’s apartment. This jacket had previously been described as “missing” and believed to have been on DeOrr that day.

March 2017

• Philip Klein makes public statements accusing the parents of withholding information.
• He later sues the family for breach of contract regarding unpaid investigative costs.

November 13, 2017

• Private investigator Philip Klein is fired by the Kunz family from the investigation.

November 15, 2017

• Klein Investigations & Consulting formally withdraws from the DeOrr Kunz Jr. case. Klein Investigations & Consulting (KIC Texas) issues a public press release announcing their withdrawal from the case. Source
• The release states they formally notified Lemhi County Sheriff Steve Penner on November 13, 2017 that they were stepping away from the investigation effective immediately. In the statement, KIC declares:
• “We believe KIC Texas can no longer move this case forward.”
• KIC states there is “nothing further to investigate”, and that all available evidence indicates:
• “We do not believe a kidnapping or animal attack occurred, and all evidence supports this finding.”
• KIC further states their belief that charges should be filed against the parents for child endangerment, at minimum.
• They publicly urge the Lemhi County District Attorney to consider such charges.
• The release also states that Vernal DeOrr Kunz Sr. and his father Dennis Kunz appear to be involved in misinformation campaigns, including the use of multiple online accounts to defend themselves while criticizing investigators. The press release closes with the statement:
• “The Truth Is The Ultimate Defense.”

June 8, 2019

• Private investigator David Marshburn begins a coordinated search at Timber Creek Campground.  Source
• He brings two trained human cadaver dogs.
• Lemhi County Sheriff Steve Penner accompanies Marshburn during the search.

June 9, 2019

• Cadaver dogs continue searching targeted terrain.

June 10, 2019

• Both cadaver dogs alert at a downed tree with animal claw marks located next to a creek at the campground.
• Marshburn reports the dogs detect human cadaver scent.

June 11, 2019

• Sheriff Penner brings in a second cadaver dog team.
• The second dog also alerts in the same area.

June 12, 2019

• Search continues.
• No visible remains are located.

June 13, 2019

• Marshburn states the dogs are highly reliable and trained to detect remains up to six feet underground.

June 14, 2019

• The week-long coordinated private and law enforcement-supervised search ends.
• Marshburn reports confidence that human remains are present, but nothing is recovered.

June 26, 2019

• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office announces the Timber Creek Campground will close for an official search. Source

June 28, 2019

• The campground is closed.
• Authorities search and excavate the alerted area.
• No remains or definitive evidence are recovered.
• The case remains open.

Summer 2019

• During the same search period, Marshburn and volunteers locate a child-sized fleece pullover jacket in steep terrain above the campsite.
• According to private investigator: The jacket appears torn and contains possible blood and hair.
• It is consistent with a jacket DeOrr was believed to be wearing.
• It was manufactured in 2014 or early 2015.
• The jacket is turned over to law enforcement and tested by the Idaho State Police lab.
• Only a partial DNA profile is obtained.
• No conclusive match can be made.
• The jacket is never linked to DeOrr.

2020

• A second private investigator, David Marshburn, is brought into the case. Marshburn also publicly expresses doubts about the parents’ version of events.

July 2021

• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office reaffirms that the case remains active and DeOrr has not been found.

July 2023

• Lead investigator Steve Penner retires. The case is reassigned yet remains open.

June 2025

• No new official evidence has been publicly disclosed.
• The disappearance remains unsolved, and both parents continue to be listed as persons of interest.

Key Findings

• No physical trace of DeOrr has ever been found despite exhaustive search efforts.
• Investigators have consistently stated that inconsistencies exist in statements provided by the parents.
• Multiple independent investigators have raised concerns regarding the parents’ accounts.
• The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office has said that they do not believe an animal attack or random abduction occurred.

Official Sources and Documents

• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office press releases (2015–2025)
• Search warrants and public investigative statements
• Philip Klein Investigations public statements
• Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse records

July 10, 2015 – Initial Search and Response

• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office and Salmon Search and Rescue respond to the 911 call.
• Approximately 150 searchers are deployed.
• Two scent-tracking dogs are used.
• The dogs do not pick up a scent trail indicating DeOrr’s presence at the campsite.
• All vehicles at the scene are searched.
• Includes Bob Walton’s camper and Isaac Reinwand’s tent.
• A helicopter equipped with FLIR searches within a three mile radius of the campground.
• Deputy Dave Morelli states:
• “We have not found a thread.”
• No Amber Alert is issued.
• Law enforcement does not confirm an abduction.

July 11, 2015 – Cadaver Dogs Deployed

• Cadaver dogs are brought into the search.
• The dogs give soft alerts at the campsite and at the reservoir.

July 12, 2015 – Search Contamination and “Suspension” Statement

• Law enforcement learns that someone dumped cremated remains in the search area.
• This contamination affects dog work and search reliability.
• Lemhi County announces that the search is “suspended.”
• Later, deputies clarify that “suspended” was not the best word.
• The search was narrowed and shifted in scope rather than completely stopped.

July 14, 2015 – Ongoing Water Search

• Dive teams continue searching Stone Reservoir.
• Focus remains on ruling out drowning and water-related scenarios.

July 15, 2015 – Transition from Search to Investigation

• After five days of intensive searching, no trace of DeOrr is found.
• Large scale active search is scaled back.
• Case formally transitions into an ongoing criminal investigation.

July 16

• A representative from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children arrives in Leadore.
• Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn D. Bowerman posts an update on Facebook clarifying remarks on the search.  Source

July 17, 2015 – Additional Resources Deployed

• The Bonneville County Sheriff’s dive team joins the search.
• A sonar robot is deployed in the reservoir to search in low visibility conditions.
• Horseback teams continue to check hills and back country terrain.

July 19, 2015 – Repeated Searches With No Findings

• Big Timber Creek Campground, Stone Reservoir, the creek, and surrounding hills are searched multiple times.
• Sheriff’s Office concludes there is no physical evidence that DeOrr was ever present at the campground or reservoir areas.

July 20, 2015 – Public Statement Scaling Back Search

• Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office issues a public press release.
• Confirms:
• Search has gone on for ten days.
• Over 300 people and multiple agencies have participated.
• Resources used include helicopters with FLIR, divers, side scan sonar, scent dogs, cadaver dogs, horses, and ATVs.
• No sign of DeOrr is found.
• At this time:
• Parents are not considered suspects.
• Abduction by stranger and animal attack are still listed as possible scenarios.

August 18, 2015 – Abduction Deemed Least Likely

• Sheriff Bowerman states that abduction is the least likely explanation.
• Reasons:
• Bob Walton was seated roughly 20 to 30 yards from the only road in and out of the lower campground.
• He did not see any vehicles or people entering or leaving.
• Search and rescue personnel did not see any suspicious vehicles arriving or leaving.
• Sheriff Bowerman says that at this point he does not believe anything criminal has definitively happened, based on the information then available.

October 6, 2015 – No Evidence of Abduction Found

• Sheriff Bowerman states:
• “We have found not one article that would indicate abduction either by animal or person.”
• He still does not completely rule out abduction.
• Jessica and Vernal work with a sketch artist regarding a man they believed looked strangely at DeOrr at a gas station in Leadore.

October 9, 2015 – Abduction Viewed as Unlikely

• Sheriff Bowerman states:
• “I do not feel like it is an abduction.”
• Reasons include:
• No one reported seeing suspicious people or vehicles in the area.
• No physical or forensic evidence supports abduction.
• Lemhi County, Bonneville County, and the FBI continue to re-interview all involved parties.

January 25, 2016 – Parents Named as Suspects

• Sheriff Bowerman publicly identifies Jessica Mitchell and Vernal DeOrr Kunz Sr. as suspects in DeOrr’s disappearance.
• All four adults at the campground remain persons of interest, but the focus shifts to the parents.
• Both parents undergo multiple polygraph examinations by:
• Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Two key questions consistently cause failures or inconclusive responses:

1. Do you know where DeOrr currently is
2. Do you know what happened to DeOrr

• Sheriff Bowerman states:
• “They know something. I believe they know where he is, absolutely.”
• Investigation begins to “turn” in early January after the FBI and behavioral analysts provide findings and analysis.
• Sheriff indicates it is too early to file charges and emphasizes the need to “get it right” to avoid double jeopardy and premature charges.

January 29, 2016 – DeOrr Believed Deceased. Abduction and Animal Attack Rejected

• Sheriff Bowerman states he believes:
• DeOrr is deceased.
• Abduction is not a viable explanation.
• A wild animal attack is not supported by evidence.
• Key points:
• No boots or clothing from DeOrr have ever been found.
• Dogs never detected DeOrr in the creek or reservoir.
• Two vault toilets at the campground were drained and searched, with no findings.
• Cell phones from involved parties were seized and data extracted.
• Some unusual or incomplete calls are noted but not fully detailed publicly.
• Sheriff Bowerman confirms:
• Parents were not discouraged from going national or placing a reward.
• He reiterates that parents’ statements and timelines have changed repeatedly.

May 23, 2016 – Suspect and Person of Interest Status

• Jessica and Vernal remain formal suspects.
• Bob Walton and Isaac Reinwand remain persons of interest.
• All four have been interviewed multiple times and have taken polygraph tests.
• Bob and Isaac’s results are considered inconclusive due to mental health issues.
• Parents’ results are repeatedly less than truthful on the two core questions.

July 6, 2016 – Investigation Moves Toward Homicide Theory

• Sheriff Bowerman states publicly that the case is “moving more and more towards it being a homicide.”
• He says both abduction and wild animal attack have been ruled out.
• He states:
• “If there was an accident, there is no reason not to come forward.”
• He emphasizes that the parents’ ongoing lack of full truthfulness is central to the investigation.

July 12, 2016 – DeOrr Possibly Never at the Campground

• Sheriff Bowerman states he is “almost feeling pretty good he was never up there.”
• Key points he makes:
• No independent witness, other than the four adults, confirms seeing DeOrr at the campground.
• No confirmed sighting of DeOrr at the store or gas station on the day of the trip.
• Witness at the gas station remembers fueling the vehicle and only thinks he might have seen the back of a child seat.
• About the polygraphs:
• Two separate examiners, one from Bonneville County and one from the FBI, compared results.
• Both concluded that the parents were less than truthful on the two central questions about where DeOrr is and what happened to him.
• Parents failed or were inconclusive on these questions across four separate examinations.
• Regarding Bob and Isaac:
• Their polygraphs are considered inconclusive.
• Both have significant mental health issues that complicate testing.
• Bowerman states:
• “I feel confident that the parents know what happened and know where baby DeOrr currently is.”
• “I am very suspicious. I just do not know what it is.”
• “I just know they know what happened to him.”
• On working with private investigator Philip Klein:
• Sheriff clarifies that law enforcement gave Klein only location and names of involved parties.
• They allowed Klein to conduct an independent investigation to see whether his conclusions matched theirs.
• He notes that Klein, independently, reached similar conclusions about parental involvement.

Summary of Sheriff’s Investigative Conclusions through July 2016

What was never found:

• No boots
• No clothing
• No diaper
• No human remains
• No trace evidence such as blood tied to DeOrr
• No physical evidence of abduction
• No physical evidence of animal predation

What theories were rejected

• Accidental drowning in the creek or reservoir
• Wild animal dragging DeOrr from the campsite
• Stranger abduction from the campground

What remained as the primary investigative focus

• Homicide or accidental death connected to people known to DeOrr
• Strong suspicion that DeOrr may never have been present at the campground
• Consistent conclusion that Jessica Mitchell and Vernal DeOrr Kunz Sr. know what happened and where DeOrr is or was