Man identified in presumed Snake River drowning, search continues
By Duke Dance
July 6, 2026
Volunteers with the Star Valley Search & Rescue unload their jet boat into the Snake River at Sheep Gulch Boat Dock on the evening of Monday, July 6, roughly 48 hours after Tory Raether went missing. SVI photo/Duke Dance.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has identified the missing man in the Snake River Canyon as Tory J. Raether, 55, of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Raether is presumed drowned after jumping into the river Saturday evening at Jumping Rock, about a 1/4 mile east of the Sheep Gulch Boat Ramp near Alpine. Authorities said he was not wearing a life jacket and struggled against the current. Other members of his party attempted to save him but were unsuccessful.
Star Valley Search & Rescue has been searching the river for Raether since Saturday evening, using multiple drones, rafts, jet skis and a jet boat. As of Monday evening, July 6, his body had not been found.
“We still have hope for a positive outcome,” said Commander Matt McMurdo with the Star Valley Search & Rescue. “We would really like to help bring some closure to the family.”
SVI photos by Duke Dance, taken Monday evening during search operations.
