The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that 19-year-old Stephen Bull who was reported missing earlier this month, has been found deceased near Upper River Road in the Woody Creek area, following an extensive multi-agency search effort. Bull was reported missing after he was last seen in the Woody Creek area in the late afternoon of December 2nd.
Search efforts led by Mountain Rescue Aspen began immediately in locations where Stephen was last seen and in areas familiar to him. As days progressed, search operations expanded to broader areas based on developing information and search assessments. Efforts included coordinated ground searches, canine teams, multiple drone operations, aerial support and investigative work, weather conditions, terrain, and changing environmental factors, increasingly complicated search efforts over time, presenting additional challenges for responding searchers.
The search did involve extensive coordination and support from multiple agencies and organizations. The Pitkin County Sheriff's Office appreciates the community's compassion, cooperation, and respect for the family's privacy.
During this time, if you're struggling with depression or other mental health issues, help is always available 24/7 through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. These resources are free, confidential, and available to anyone in crisis.
