Mesa Verde Mystery Now Solved - The Dale Stehling Disappearance

This video covers new and previously unknown details relating to the disappearance of Dale Stehling in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado.

Link to Patreon -

[TheMissingEnigma]

Hi everyone, I have a minor additional update to this. Denean Stehling (Dale's wife) contacted me after watching my video series on his case. She told me a few details that I wanted to share, like
1.) Dale was disabled, and had endured 13 back surgeries since 1998.
2.) The NPS put up a sign and clear markers on the trail only after they learned that Dale's family, David Paulides, and the History Channel were showing up to film a TV program.
3.) Denean pleaded with Chief Ranger Jesse Farias many times to extend the search radius and go down Navajo Canyon. She was refused, with Farias telling her that they saw how Dale walked on a security camera in the visitor center and they didn't believe he could walk that far.
4.) The NPS did not give Denean the report which described how he was found and where.
5.) Dale was not in active addiction, but was on methadone.

[doubtingdidymus]

I think that the main reason they released the records to you was due to your first video showing your rational and evidence driven approach to handling these topics. You don't sensationalize or villianize. You simply analyze, and most in this space don't do that. The fact you got the records is a testament to your diligence and honesty in reporting accurately.

[JANN-JAPAN]

Water. He didn’t accept it because he didn’t think he would need it. Always take water. You never know.

[kvarner]

As a recovering heroin addict, I found it notable that there was a picture of a lighter and a tiny bit of tinfoil found with Dale's remains. I wonder if he decided to extend his original walk in order to get to a less populated area in order to use opiates. This may even explain how Dale ended up going off-trail. He also could have been hesitant to call for help initially due to possession of drugs.

Either way, this is a tragic case, and I really feel for his loved ones. Just because someone is using drugs does not make them a bad person.

I also want to thank the presenter for sharing that he is also in recovery. I think it's really helpful for people to see a well-spoken, thoughtful, intelligent, and likeable person who is/was an addict. It helps people get a better idea of how addiction can effect anyone.

[dtaylorchuckufarle]

Thank you for not blaming the victim, and for always being sensitive to the victim's family.

[levitatingoctahedron]

sounds like a lot of the information wasn't public because the incorrect museum sign was potential lawsuit fuel.

[After_these_messages]

I appreciate you mentioning that you’re in recovery. It’s important. I’m also in recovery and having someone like you mention that in a video helps others who may feel alone with it that day. Thanks. 🔺🔹

[FractalToroid]

As a former member of the Colorado search and rescue community I can say it is not unusual for the Air Force or Army to be casually involved in search rescue operations in the state. They like to go on missions and will give resources whenever asked. Plus they have tremendously higher budgets and capabilities than the park service.

[jt.]

You got the records? Awesome man. You're the best missing persons channel out there by far imo.

[bevomcbevenstein]

A shame that potentially not having two screws in a sign instead of one allowing it to be spun around might have cost this guy his life.

[HollyAnnaDavidson]

Congratulations on your recovery! I've been in recovery for 30 years. Thank you for all of your hard work and careful handling of this man's story.

[smittysmeee]

Maybe not important but my family owned a butcher shop for decades, and I can tell you firsthand how damaging meat processing is to the body. Back injuries and long wearing injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome are unavoidable. I've known many a butcher who suffered from opioid addiction coming out of the 00s when those were prescribed like candy and then turned to hard drugs in the 2010s when they were cut off as the medical tide shifted and doctors left the addicts they created to flounder.

RIP, Dale and peace to his family.

[rifleman]

Nothing is more relaxing and a feeling of closure than a solved case.

[St.IsaacOfSyria]

People often don't realize how easy it is to get lost. I was hiking blood mountain with my wife a while back and came to a point in the trail with boulders and lots of brush. We had ideas where the trail could go but decided that under no circumstances will we attempt any direction and go beyond sight of where we were. We were going to head back down but another couple was heading down and showed us the way up. If you simply pick a direction and go you will get lost instantaneously.
If you are ever hiking and don't know where to go just turn back. It's not worth it.

[rumpeltyltskyn]

Remember kids, what do you do when you realize you're lost? STOP MOVING.

This guy literally walked himself to death. If he just sat down and waited, he'd be here today no doubt.

Edit: Yes guys. I know there are some situations when you need to attempt self rescue. But in most cases, if you are not in immediate danger, and people know you are missing and where you are (in a general vicinity) you are SIGNIFICANTLY more likely to survive if you STOP MOVING AND WAIT FOR RESCUE.

[allypally]

I'm so glad someone told me as a child to stay put. I got lost at the zoo once, I was waiting in this line to slide down a slide and it was so long that I decided I would go back to the bottom and find my dad instead of waiting. I was like 7 though and couldn't remember where to go, so I decided to sit next to a petting zoo and just wait like I had been told (and of course cried the whole time 😂) and eventually my dad found me. I felt super bad for not going down the slide like we agreed, but at least I remembered to stay put when I realized I was lost and not keep moving. I probably wouldn't have died at the zoo but it definitely was a learning moment for me. RIP to Dale.

[mannyfig]

My opinion: Reason for delay of info was for civil suit protection. I recently got lot in a very traveled trail. I got dehydrated and lost ALL my strength. I couldn't even tell out for help. I was not hurt, only completely unable to move. Luckily, I was able to send a cell phone ping to my family and they contacted local search and rescue. I was rescued. I stayed put bc I couldn't move. That saved me.

[juliana.xx]

I love that you have allowed us a small glimpse into you, a successful and put together, respectable human being, and also someone in recovery.

Addiction is STILL so stigmatized and addicts are often seen as subhuman and not worthy of dignity, healthcare, and compassion. So, when someone who is respected for their diligent efforts and high standards in their video production speaks on being addicted at points in life, it forces people who respect that person but have negative views about addicts to reconsider how they view addiction.

It's not a quick fix, to get clean and stay that way. There's a lot of ugly things from your past that you need to look at honestly, and work through to find peace.

So glad to see you overcome those hurdles and have been able to focus more on sharing your gifts with the world. As someone with a lot (a LOT) of friends who never made it through their addictions, their gifts and contributions to the world never materializing, it's always wonderful to see the success stories.

❤

[DjeauxSheaux]

I've been sober a little more than three years myself. Addiction is a terrible problem to have, and since you're abusing your body you are more vulnerable to the elements. At 6'3, I weighed only 165 lbs at my worst point, and now I'm back to a healthy 210. If I had gotten lost in the woods five years ago, my odds would be a lot worse than they are now. Big respect to you for your efforts in recovery.

[joachimcarlsson]

“A missing 411 case where Dave fell into a portal or something” 😂
I love your channel Nick.