70-year-old Jose “Pepe” Pereda of Arapahoe was last seen on September 5th, 2018 around 11:30 a.m. in Riverton. He has not been located since.
Fremont County Sheriff’s were made aware of the missing man that day, and issued a statement to the media on September 7th.
The statement said he had been last seen via security footage driving in Riverton in a white Toyota single cab truck. Family members believed he was on his way to the Sanddraw landfill but never made it. The initial release also stated that Pereda was diabetic and was, “possibly suffering from Dementia.”
Within 48 hours of Pereda going missing, a large search party was organized by authorities via aircraft, ATV, and on foot. Initial efforts to find Jose or his truck came up empty.
Two weeks later, on September 21st, Fremont County Sheriff’s announced that they had located Pereda’s truck. Sheriff Ryan Lee told County 10 that the truck was found stuck in a large washout along a Pipeline Road about 10 miles east of Riverton, near Highway 136 (Gas Hills Road.)
A search broke out again in the remote, expansive area. Authorities and dozens of volunteers helped look on foot, horseback, and via aircraft. After a 3-day search for Pereda came up empty, Sheriff’s suspended the operation.
In October, Pepe’s family members offered a $10,500 reward for help locating him or information about his disappearance.
Since that news, a long central Wyoming winter set in. Spring has now begun to thaw the area. There’s still no sign of Pepe. It will be 7 months since he disappeared this week.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken over as the primary agency investigating his disappearance.
Fremont County Undersheriff Mike Hutchison told County 10 this week that they are continuing to work with the BIA on the case, and that it remains open. But, he noted, there have not been any new developments recently.
If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Jose “Pepe” Pereda, please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 307-332-5611 or the Wind River Police Department at 307-332-3112.
