The weeklong search for a North Carolina husband and father who disappeared in Wyoming's Snake River over the Fourth of July weekend came to an end Saturday after campers spotted his body floating in the water.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office announced that Tory J. Raether, 55, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was recovered Saturday morning in the McCoy Creek area.
Star Valley Search & Rescue Commander Matt McMurdo said campers noticed Raether's body from the shoreline around 11:30 a.m. They paddle-boarded out to him before calling authorities.
Search-and-rescue crews, who had been back on the river Saturday morning, responded quickly and recovered Raether's body.
Raether disappeared July 4 after jumping into the river without a life jacket at Jump Rock, a popular recreation area about 3½ miles east of Alpine.
Members of his group tried unsuccessfully to rescue him after he began struggling against the swift current.
Since then, Star Valley Search & Rescue had searched the river and nearby reservoir using drones, rafts, a jet boat, jet skis and, later in the week, search dogs.
'Bring Him Home'
Earlier in the week, Lincoln County Sheriff M. Shane Johnson told Cowboy State Daily the mission had transitioned from a rescue operation to a recovery effort.
"The goal is to find their family member and return him to them, so they can have closure," Johnson said.
That goal remained constant as Raether's wife, Jean, daughters Grace and Melanie, close friends and other loved ones traveled to Wyoming to wait for answers.
Among them was Brad Johnson, Raether's best friend of 35 years, who had planned to help search alongside another lifelong friend and Raether's daughter's boyfriend, a rafting guide familiar with the river.
Saturday afternoon, Johnson shared the news many had feared.
"With a heavy heart, I wanted to let everyone know that Tory has been found," he wrote to his friends. "Thank you to everyone who reached out with texts, calls, and messages during these difficult days. Your love and support have meant more to me and to Tory's family than we can express."
Deeply Loved
During the search, friends described Raether as a devoted husband, father and mentor whose kindness left a lasting impression on nearly everyone he met.
"Tory wasn't just a friend to me — he was like a brother," Johnson told Cowboy State Daily. "He was one of those rare people who made life brighter simply by walking into a room."
Johnson said Raether built a successful career as an investment professional, volunteered through Kiwanis and Rotary, mentored others and was always looking for ways to help those around him.
"The world needs more people like Tory," he said. "He lived with joy, loved freely, and gave far more than he ever expected in return."
Julia Joy Raether, Tory's former sister-in-law, said she remained close to the family even after her marriage to his brother ended years ago.
"Tory was deeply loved by everyone who knew him," she told Cowboy State Daily. "He was kind, generous, adventurous, and had a quiet strength that drew people to him."
Closure
She said the tragedy was especially personal because her youngest son was with Tory when they entered the river.
"My son made it out. Tory did not," she said. "Our family has been living through the uncertainty, hoping for a miracle while also coming to terms with the reality of how powerful that river is."
For a week, Raether's family watched search crews work the Snake River, holding onto hope while preparing for the worst.
Now, with his recovery complete, they can bring him home.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
