Quest for buried treasure ends in death for former Grapevine youth pastor

A Colorado pastor with ties to Tarrant County is believed to be the second person to have died while searching for buried treasure in northern New Mexico.

The body of man, which was found June 18, has yet to be identified, but all the evidence suggests it is Paris Wallace of Grand Junction, New Mexico state police Lt. Elizabeth Armijo told The Associated Press.

The lead pastor at Connection Church in Grand Junction, Wallace was youth pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine from 1995 to 2002, according to his LinkedIn page.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to Paris’ wife, children, and family,” Fellowship Church said in a statement.

He is believed to have died while searching for the $2 million jackpot buried by Santa Fe author Forrest Fenn. The buried treasure was referenced in a poem in Fenn’s memoir, “The Thrill of the Chase.” But many have debated whether it’s even in New Mexico or somewhere else in the Southwest.

The lure of the treasure has led countless fortune seekers to New Mexico.

Wallace was reported missing June 15 after he failed to show up for a meeting. His 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe was found that same day. Family members said Wallace had gone to New Mexico to search for Fenn’s bronze chest, according to media reports.

Earlier this week, New Mexico state police Chief Pete Kassetas urged Fenn to end the treasure hunt.

“I would implore that he stop this nonsense,” Kassetas said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Last year, a 54-year-old Bloomfield, Colo., man died while searching for the treasure. It would take seven months for his body to be found, according to the Denver publication Westward.

The bronze chest filled with valuables has become the stuff of lore. Fenn is a decorated Vietnam War fighter pilot, art dealer and amateur archaeologist, according to the Santa Fe paper.

“The several hundred emails I have received today are overwhelming against stopping the search … ,” he wrote in an email to the New Mexican. “My mind is open to finding a solution, but no decision has been made.”

In his poem, Fenn gave clues to where the treasure is buried.

If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,

Look quickly down, your quest to cease,

But tarry scant with marvel gaze,

Just take the chest and go in peace.

Wallace gave his last sermon June 11.

“Our entire life is worship,” Wallace said. “It should be.”

This story was originally published June 21, 2017 at 1:22 PM with the headline "Quest for buried treasure ends in death for former Grapevine youth pastor."