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Jen Kocher

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‘It’s Like He’s A Ghost’: Search On After Rock Springs College Student Vanishes

The family of a Rock Springs college student who vanished without a trace two months ago is desperate for answers. “It's like he’s a ghost,” says a longtime friend of Steven Sanches, who was last seen leaving campus around noon on Feb. 5.

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Kurt Cobain of Nirvana during the taping of MTV Unplugged at Sony Studios in New York City, on Nov. 18, 1993.

Utah Investigator Says He Has New Evidence That Shows Kurt Cobain Was Murdered

A Utah investigator turned over new evidence to police, on top of a report by a team of forensic experts who say Kurt Cobain’s death wasn’t a suicide, it was was murder. A retired Seattle Police captain agrees and says original investigators botched the case

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Madhu Anderson (carrying beagle), who is from Rock Springs, was among the 27 animal rights activists arrested on March 15 after breaking into a Wisconsin biomedical research facility and taking 30 beagles.

Rock Springs Activist Defends Raid On Wisconsin Beagle Lab, Says Arrest Was Worth It

A Rock Springs animal rights activist who helped raid a Wisconsin beagle lab earlier this month said saving abused dogs was worth getting arrested. “It’s not a crime to rescue abused animals when they are suffering,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Jen KocherMarch 25, 2026

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins, Wyoming, after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. His family believes he was killed and still seeks answers in his unsolved case.

Family Still Haunted By Mysterious 1983 Disappearance Of Rawlins Welding Student

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. Authorities and his family believe he was killed and are still seeking answers in the unsolved case.

Jen KocherMarch 21, 2026

Courtney Hampleman found solace in speaking to her deceased loved ones on the Wind Phone in a downtown Gillette park. It's the first of its kind in Wyoming.

Wyoming's First 'Wind Phone' Helps Gillette Residents With Grief Of Losing A Loved One

People grieve in different ways. One Gillette therapist installed a "Wind Phone" in a park to allow a person to pick up the receiver, dial a number or not, and speak freely to a loved one to share memories or grief without judgment. "I felt at peace," one woman said.

Jen KocherMarch 15, 2026

Cathy Holman, whose daughter was stalked for nearly a year, testified at the House Judiciary Committee Meeting

Legislation Making Child Stalking And Grooming Felonies Headed To Gov's Desk

Bills making child stalking and grooming standalone felony crimes are headed for the governor's desk. The stalking bill came from a high-profile case where a 41-year-old in Glenrock stalked and harassed a 16-year-old teen for a year and received probation.

Jen KocherMarch 02, 2026

Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend is a person of interest but hasn’t been charged, and the case remains active.

Now Four Years Gone, Family Fears Worst For Missing Gillette Student Irene Gakwa

It’s been four years since Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in February 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend, now out of prison for stealing her bank card, hasn’t been charged but remains a person of interest, police say.

Jen KocherMarch 01, 2026

Gillette Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Partner Shot During Fight

A 61-year-old Gillette woman was in court Friday, charged with attempted murder after police say she shot her longtime partner during a fight the day before. Investigators say the shooting was not in self-defense.

Jen KocherFebruary 28, 2026

Richard McCoy III and Chanté McCoy talk about their father's parachute during a presentation with Dan Gryder at the DTSB Aviation Safety Summit in Orlando in January 2026.

Part 4: Who Is D.B. Cooper? FBI’s ‘One-In-A-Billion’ Parachute Returns

Part 4 In A Series: A parachute found on D.B. Cooper suspect Richard McCoy’s family property was seized and tested by the FBI, then quietly returned in December, 2025, without explanation. The ambiguous action and closed lips from the FBI is fueling new theories about the notorious skyjacking.

Jen KocherFebruary 22, 2026

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is now selling a specialty Search and Rescue license plate. The inital cost is $180 with $150 going to the state-wide SAR fund with a $50 annual renewal fee.

Search And Rescue Teams Cost A Lot Of Money In Wyoming, Especially With "Extreme Sports"

Just one search and rescue mission last year took nearly 1,800 manpower hours and 220 flights. Without volunteers, it would have cost $1.7 million. Now with nearly 9 million visitors coming to Wyoming, the cost of helping stranded people is breaking the bank.

Jen KocherFebruary 14, 2026

Parents Desperate To Find Missing Lovell Teen

The parents of 17-year-old girl Kourtnee Roper of Lovell are asking for the public’s help in locating her, and an anonymous donor is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to her safe return.

Jen KocherFebruary 13, 2026

Elon Musk Shares Post Calling Out Democrats For All Voting Against Wyoming Grooming Bill

A vote on a bill aimed at establishing criminal penalties in Wyoming for the grooming of minors caught the eye of Elon Musk. He shared a post calling out Democrats for voting against the bill. However, 13 Republicans also voted against it.

Jen KocherFebruary 11, 2026

Other Authors

Anne Elyse Elliott, then 31, was last seen in the area of North Temple Street in downtown Salt Lake City on Jan. 10, 2020.

New Lead Reinvigorates Search For Wyoming Woman Who Vanished 6 Years Ago

Salt Lake City investigators have discovered fresh evidence in the disappearance of a former Jackson woman who vanished more than six years ago. The news of this first big break has brought hope to Elliott’s family, including her younger sister Emily Nardacci, of Pinedale.

Jen KocherFebruary 08, 2026

Body Of Cody Man Missing Since Jan. 23 Found In Beck Lake

The body of David Kelsey was found in Beck Lake and recovered Tuesday. The 50-year-old Cody man had been missing for more than a week.

Jen KocherFebruary 03, 2026

Jake Stoner is planning his son Basil’s funeral on his Nebraska ranch after his son was allegedly abducted and murdered by his mother during a custody fight. Stoner is also pushing Wyoming legislators to loosen strict Amber Alert criteria for faster child rescues.

Father Mourns Son Allegedly Killed By Mom By Planning Funeral And Seeking Reform

Jake Stoner is planning a funeral for his 11-month-old son on his ranch after the boy was allegedly murdered by his mother two days before Christmas. Stoner is also asking Wyoming legislators to loosen strict Amber Alert criteria for faster child rescues.

Jen KocherFebruary 01, 2026

Desperate Search For Missing Cody Man Continues, Police Say Check Security Cams

Cody friends, law enforcement and volunteers were continuing efforts Tuesday to search for 50-year-old David Kelsey. Drones and a cadaver dog are being used as well. Police are asking people in the area to check their security cams for footage of the man.

Jen KocherJanuary 27, 2026

Mom Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of Infant Son After Fleeing To New Mexico

Madeline Daly on Monday pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder for allegedly killing her 11-month-old son Basil in New Mexico following a custody dispute from Wyoming. She remains held without bond amid potential federal charges.

Jen KocherJanuary 27, 2026

Wild Crimes In Yellowstone: From Maulings To Fugitives To The "Hippie Cannibal"

There's a dark underbelly in Yellowstone and two retired rangers are telling all, like the “Yellowstone River and the Hippie Cannibal" story about a social worker from Montana, who had the misfortune of picking up a couple hitchhikers high on LSD.

Jen KocherJanuary 25, 2026

1.7 million suspected fentanyl pills and kilos of fentanyl powder seized in Highlands Ranch, CO. November, 2025

Fentanyl Seizures Up 264% In Wyoming; Drugs Funneled By Two Mexican Cartels

Last year, the DEA seized nearly 9 million fentanyl pills and 3,100 pounds of meth across the Rocky Mountain region, with fentanyl seizures in Wyoming up by 264%. The DEA says the drugs are being funneled to Wyoming by two primary Mexican cartels

Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2026

Mom Accused Of Killing Her 11-Month-Old Son Wants Out Of Jail, Judge Says No

The woman accused of absconding with her son from Wyoming, then killing the 11-month-old when authorities caught up with her, wants out of jail. A New Mexico judge on Monday said no, she’ll remain locked up as she faces a first-degree murder charge.

Jen KocherJanuary 13, 2026

Officials Say Human Remains Likely Those Of Sheridan Man Missing Nearly 9 Months

Authorities say human remains found Monday on the grounds of the Sheridan County Airport are likely a Sheridan man missing for nearly nine months. A DNA test is pending, but items found nearby, including a wallet, ID the body as James “Bo” Galloway.

Jen KocherJanuary 07, 2026