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Jen Kocher

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Today, at age 74, Wyoming native Richard Pitt is at work on a memoir about his adrenaline-fueled life smuggling drugs for the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s and his adventures as a skydiver, Vietnam veteran and commercial airline pilot who also spent decades in prison for his crimes.

Richard Pitt: Wyoming Pilot And Vietnam Vet Who Smuggled Drugs For Pablo Escobar

Richard Pitt grew up in Thermopolis and lived a life straight out of 1980s drug-running movies like “Scarface.” Decades later, he’s coming clean while also divulging details of his sordid career smuggling for the likes of Pablo Escobar.

Jen KocherMay 11, 2025

The 10 refugee dogs of all breeds wait on the Tarmac at JFK Airport in New York to board a private charter plane to Wyoming last Sunday.

Wyoming Rescue Ranch Cheers Shutdown Of Notorious Beagle Test Lab, New Law

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch in Hartville is cheering this week's shutdown of a notorious beagle testing lab and proposed federal legislation that would retire clinical test animals instead of killing them. The events promise to make the ranch busier than ever.

Jen KocherMay 10, 2025

Wrong-Way Driver Shuts Down I-90 With Claim Of Bomb In Vehicle

A Gillette man drove the wrong way on Interstate 90 three times Thursday as he led law enforcement on a 70-95 mph chase. He then claimed there was a bomb in his vehicle, but it turned out to be a possibly drug-induced perception of loose and exposed wires.

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherMay 09, 2025

Gillette resident Kelsey Johnson, 32, was last seen April 14 getting into a pickup at a mobile home in Denver, and her best friend is afraid for her safety. Johnson is believed to be in the Denver or Greeley area.

Friend Of Gillette Woman Missing More Than Two Weeks Fears For Her Safety

Gillette resident Kelsey Johnson, 32, was last seen April 14 getting into a pickup at a mobile home in Gillette, and her best friend is afraid for her safety. Johnson is believed to be in the Denver or Greeley area.

Jen KocherMay 07, 2025

John Lusch, 45, lived in Rock Springs and Saratoga before moving to Marshall, Michigan, five years ago, where he worked as a tow truck driver. He was murdered in what police are calling an ambush on Easter, April 20, 2025, and his killer remains at large.

Manhunt On After Murder Of Wyoming Man Shot In Michigan On Easter

John Lusch grew up in Rock Springs and Saratoga before moving to Michigan five years ago. A tow truck driver, he was shot and killed on Easter attempting to collect on a car sale. Police have identified four suspects and his mom thinks she knows who did it.

Jen KocherMay 03, 2025

A woman’s body was found near a wrecked car on White Mountain outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming, on Suday. Authorities believe the victim is missing 41-year-old Melissa Ann Amadio of Green River.

Body Found On White Mountain Likely Missing Green River Woman

A woman’s body was found near a wrecked car on White Mountain outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming, on Sunday. Authorities believe the victim is missing 41-year-old Melissa Ann Amadio of Green River.

Jen KocherApril 29, 2025

Visiting University of Wyoming arts professor, Nash Quinn, 40, has not been seen or heard from since July 8, 2024, when he’s believed to have gone for a bike ride.

Still No Trace Of Popular UW Professor Missing For Nine Months

Despite extensive searches of areas University of Wyoming Professor Nash Quinn of Laramie was known to bike, searchers have found no trace of him since he disappeared last July.

Jen KocherApril 26, 2025

Police Say Gillette Dementia Patient Froze After Nursing Assistant Ignored Alarm

A nursing assistant at a Gillette senior living center was formally charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter for the freezing death of an 88-year-old dementia patient. Police say he ignored an alarm she triggered when she went outside in January.

Jen KocherApril 22, 2025

Brad Cundy was overwhelmed to find he had a 5-year-old granddaughter, Taylee, following his son's death.

After Son’s Suicide Devastates Family, DNA Reveals Miracle Grandchild

When Matt Cundy of Casper took his own life at age 27, the family he left behind was devastated. DNA later revealed that he had also left them with something special — a 5-year-old daughter they never knew he had.

Jen KocherApril 20, 2025

Berry Bryant's gravestone at Mountain View Cemetery in Riverton.

Murder Of Wyoming College Student Still Raw For Family After Nearly 30 Years

In 1996, 18-year-old Berry Bryant of Riverton was murdered by a fellow Northwest College student. Her brother, Ryan, says her death is still raw for the family and he wants to keep Berry’s memory alive — even if it means laughing about it on a podcast.

Jen KocherApril 19, 2025

Gillette, Wyoming, police investigated the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center.

Former Gillette Nursing Assistant Charged In Freezing Death Of 88-Year-Old Dementia Patient

A 57-year-old nursing assistant at the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette has been charged with manslaughter in the freezing death of a resident. The 88-year-old woman with dementia was found frozen in an outdoor courtyard of the facility.

Jen KocherApril 17, 2025

Even after announcing Wednesday they've finally identified the remains of a John Doe found near a refinery in Cheyenne in 2023 as Neal D. Samson, 61, authorities still have a mystery on their hands.

Remains Of Cheyenne John Doe Identified, But Mystery Remains

Even after announcing Wednesday they've finally identified the remains of a John Doe found near a refinery in Cheyenne in 2023, authorities still have a mystery on their hands.

Jen KocherApril 16, 2025

Other Authors

Deep fakes and impersonations grow as Wyomingites continue to be scammed out of millions of dollars a year to cybercrimes. That includes a Gillette man who shelled out $11,000 this week in fake warrant scam.

Cybercriminals Get More Personal In Scamming Wyomingites Out Of Millions

Deep fakes and impersonations grow as Wyomingites continue to be scammed out of millions of dollars a year by cybercrimes. That includes a Gillette man who shelled out $11,000 this week in fake warrant scam.

Jen KocherApril 13, 2025

Nearly 30 years later, the murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey remains unsolved. The childhood friend of a person of interest believes his confessions hold the truth. That friend sent a number of letters from prison confessing to killing her, along with displaying an infatuation with the young girl.

Who Killed JonBenét? Friend Of Pedophile Who Confessed Says Look At Him Again

Who killed JonBenét Ramsey? The childhood friend of a convicted pedophile and person of interest told Cowboy State Daily he has prison letters from that man confessing to killing her, and says police need to look at him again.

Jen KocherApril 06, 2025

Anne Elliott vanished five years ago in downtown Salt Lake City as her family continues searching for her. Forensic investigators were on site March 26, sifting for more bones and evidence.

Families Of Missing People On Edge After Human Remains Discovered In Utah Pond

Following the discovery of a skull and bones in a pond near Salt Lake City in late March, several families wait for the bones to be identified. That includes loved ones of a missing Wyoming woman.

Jen KocherApril 05, 2025

Home surveillance video shows Clint White leaving his house in Powell, Wyoming, just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday. Nobody’s seen him since. His mysterious disappearance has the family and police baffled. His body was found Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Family Devastated After Missing Powell Man Found Dead

After a week of searching for Powell resident Clint White, 52, his family’s worst fears were realized Tuesday when he was found dead. No foul play is suspected, authorities report.

Jen KocherApril 02, 2025

Large Focus Area, Almost Nothing To Go On Impacts Search For Missing Powell Man

Nearly a week after Powell resident Clint White, 52, disappeared from his home, his family and local police still have almost nothing to go on. Also impacting the search is a 30-mile radius area outside the city looking for his car.

Jen KocherApril 01, 2025

Police, Family Baffled By Powell Man’s Mysterious Disappearance

Home surveillance video shows Clint White leaving his house in Powell, Wyoming, just before 2 a.m. last Wednesday. Nobody’s seen him since. His mysterious disappearance has the family and police baffled.

Jen KocherMarch 31, 2025

After his suicide death in February, Hunter Harlow's family has launched a campaign to donate tennis shoes to those teens in need in honor of his lifelong love of sports.

Suicide Of Young Gillette Man ‘A Whole Different Level Of Grief, Pain’ For Family

Less than six weeks since her 20-year-old nephew took his own life, his Gillette aunt says she’s still wrapped up in “a whole different level of grief, pain, confusion.” She’s now trying to use his devastating decision to save others.

Jen KocherMarch 30, 2025

Wyoming Again In Spotlight With New TV Series About ‘Happy Face Killer’

A new TV series on Paramount+ will feature the story of Keith Jesperson, who admitted to murdering at least eight women across five states — including Wyoming — between 1990 and 1995.

Jen KocherMarch 29, 2025

Dental records identified Breanna Mitchell as the woman whose remains were found in rural Washakie County. Mitchell disappeared nearly two years ago. Her cause of death is not known.

Human Remains ID’d As Washakie County Woman Missing Since 2023

Dental records identified Breanna Mitchell on Monday as the woman whose remains were found Sunday in rural Washakie County. Mitchell disappeared nearly two years ago. Her cause of death is not known.

Jen KocherMarch 25, 2025