Missing Person search suspended in Phillips County

On September 1, 2018, at approximately 11:36 p.m., the Phillips County Dispatch received a report that there had been a car parked in the caller’s driveway since early morning on the August 31. The caller stated witnesses saw the suspected driver exit the car and start running south-east of Hwy 191 South in the Colburn Butte area.

A deputy was dispatched to the area and found the car, but no sign of the driver or occupants. A check on the vehicle license plates found the vehicle associated with a Shaun Kim Nelson, age 41, described as 6’1”, 190-pounds, who was subject of an Attempt to Locate out of Valley County. Nelson, who is a resident of Boise, Idaho, was in Wolf Point visiting a family member and borrowed their car. The Phillips County Deputy drove roads in the area, but because of darkness could not thoroughly search.

On the September 2, a Phillips County Sheriff’s Office received a signed missing person report from a family member. Area landowners were contacted, and a ground and ariel search was organized.

Starting on the September 3, two aircrafts searched the area and beyond where Nelson was reported to be last seen. A ground search was conducted of abandon and outbuildings in the area. Searching continued through September 6, using local aircraft, a drone, search dogs from the CMR Refuge Law Enforcement, and the Western States Rescue team without results. As of the September 6, search efforts have been suspended after searching over a 200 square mile area. It is thought Nelson may have returned to Hwy 191 and hitched hiked a ride and is no longer in the area. Should any new evidence be uncovered, or a possible sighting, the information will be investigated.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that if you see anything or anyone matching the description of Nelson to contact this office at 406-654-2350.