IDAHO COUNTY, ID — The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the recovery of 68-year-old Robert Jeffrey Howe, whose body was found in the Lochsa River on May 31, 2025, following a days-long search.
Howe, a Montana resident, was last seen near the Wilderness Gateway Campground on May 28 around 1:30 p.m. A 911 call at approximately 2:50 p.m. that day reported him missing and possibly drowned.
A multi-agency search effort was launched immediately. Idaho County deputies, search K9 teams, and drone units were joined by local rafting guides, including volunteers from Three Rivers Rafting. Additional support came from the Nez Perce County Dive Team, Two Bear Air, U.S. Forest Service Fire Staff, River Rangers, and the Idaho County Posse.
On Saturday afternoon, at approximately 2:10 p.m., an Idaho County drone located Howe’s body about two miles downstream from where he was last seen.
The Sheriff’s Office expressed its gratitude to all who assisted in the search and extended condolences to the Howe family.
