EDGEMONT, S.D. — What started out as a routine visit to relatives ended in heartbreak for one Edgemont family, who haven’t seen their son in two years.
25-year-old Chance Englebert walked away from the home in Gering, Nebraska, on July 6, 2019, after an apparent misunderstanding with his in-laws.
His wife last spoke to him around 7:45 p.m. that night when Chance told her he was walking south – but he apparently told other friends that he was walking north, towards Torrington, Wyoming.
An uncharacteristic text – one Chance’s mother says wasn’t like her son at all – came in shortly after 9 p.m.
“There just isn’t anything after that…his phone quit working at 9:08…there’s a few pings in the WTT Truck Stop area in Scottsbluff,” said his mother, Dawn Englebert.
Dawn says he was a good kid – shy and hardworking – who grew up on the family ranch in Edgemont and received a scholarship to Laramie County Community College for bareback riding, where he studied diesel mechanics and welding.
The Englebert family doesn’t believe that Chance fell into the North Platte River or was washed away by the storm that night – theories the family says Gering law enforcement told them to accept.
“He was a smart kid and he wouldn’t have been by the river…wouldn’t have gotten near the river…he grew up near the Cheyenne River – he would’ve known to respect it,” Dawn said.
His family believes foul-play was involved and are begging anyone to come forward with information.
“In my mind somebody has done something to him and somebody knows what’s been done to him and someone has hidden him very well…There’s gotta be somebody out there that does know,” Chance’s grandmother, Linda Klunder, said.
Chance’s family says they are thankful for all the support they have received from the community, and that they just want him found and brought home.
“Bring Chance home – for his family, for his brothers – bring him home and let us give him a good bye, a decent good bye – that’s all were asking for,” said family friend, Echo Brosmire.
“I beg the Scottsbluff and Gering community to not forget Chance, and please – if you know anything, call somebody,” Dawn added.
The family is holding a free virtual walk to raise awareness for his disappearance, and can be done anytime July 6 – 10.
Chance Englebert was 25-years-old when he went missing. He is Caucasian, 5’9″ with a medium build and has brown, sun-lightened hair and hazel eyes. Chance was last seen wearing a short-sleeved, button-down Wrangler shirt, blue Wrangler jeans, a belt with a NRCA buckle, Roper boots and a black-and-white trucker cap.
Anyone with information on the disappearance of Chance Leslie Englebert is asked to contact the anonymous tip line at (724) 466-4673. Tips can also be called in to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-1494.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the virtual walk.
CLICK HERE to visit the Help Find Chance Englebert Facebook page.
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