Hunter missing for days in Ozarks national park is found dead, Missouri officials say

UPDATE: Phillip Carnell, the 58-year-old man who disappeared while hunting, was found dead about three days after he was reported missing in Ozark National Scenic Riverways, officials said.

Volunteers searching on horseback found his body the morning of Nov. 16 in a slough on a small island, according to a news release. It was “not far from the area he had planned to hunt when he was last seen,” according to a news release.

“It is suspected that he became lost and crossed the slough onto the island while tracking a deer,” authorities said. “The condition of the body is consistent with death caused by hypothermia and exposure.”

An investigation into his death and disappearance is ongoing.

The original story continues below.

A 58-year-old man was hunting in Ozark National Scenic Riverways when he vanished, according to the Missouri national park.

When Phillip Carnell didn’t return from his hunt on Sunday, Nov. 13, officials said he was reported missing.

Search and rescue teams responded, but Carnell has not been found as of Tuesday, Nov. 15.

One of his guns was found along a river, and searchers found a trail of blood believed to be from a deer, according to family members.

“They are thinking he was tracking the deer and lost light,” Jennifer Cutsinger Carnell wrote on Facebook. “They trailed the blood but lost the blood trail.”

Carnell’s brother, James, said the search was called off at about 8 p.m. Monday with plans to resume in the morning.

“They were able to narrow the search grid down and had some good hits with the dogs before darkness set in,” he said. “Please pray for Phillip to be protected tonight from the elements. Pray he will be found safe first thing in the morning!”

“My heart is broken! This is my uncle,” Michelle Dawn Owens wrote on Facebook. “He had been in most of childhood memories and a lot of the ones I have made as a teenager and adult! My heart aches so much for my aunt and for my cousins and their children and spouses, as well as his parents and siblings!”

Authorities said Carnell was hunting in the area of Cave Spring in Carter County. While “emergency managers appreciate the outpouring of support,” they ask anyone who would like to volunteer in the search to wait until receiving an assignment before driving to the area.

“We are organizing search volunteers in order to keep a record of areas that have been checked and to ensure all volunteers are accounted for when arriving and leaving,” officials said. “Too many vehicles congesting roadways may hamper the movement of emergency vehicles.”

If you would like to volunteer, contact Carter County Dispatch at 573-351-8536.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. The annual firearms deer season began Nov. 12, and hunting is permitted in most areas of the park.

“While hunting is not allowed in most national parks, when Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established the importance of traditional activities like hunting was recognized and included in the park’s enabling legislation,” Superintendent Jason Lott said in a news release. “We welcome everyone to safely enjoy the park during firearms season, and we want everyone to be successful while hunting legally. Hunting regulations will be strictly enforced.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Hunter missing for days in Ozarks national park is found dead, Missouri officials say."