FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2025
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Office of Public Affairs
Missing person William Woodland found deceased following multi-agency search
FORT HALL – The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Fish & Game Enforcement confirms that 84-year-old William Woodland was found deceased at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, following a multi-agency search effort involving Tribal, county, and state partners. Woodland had been reported missing by his family on the evening of December 7.
A tribal hunter discovered Woodland on Ghost Canyon Road within the Fort Hall Reservation. Responding agencies included Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Fish & Game Enforcement, the Fort Hall Police Department, and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office. A wide-area search of the reservation began immediately after the initial report on December 7.
Woodland had been driving a 2013 red Lexus GS. During the search, cell phone pings placed him in areas near Pingree, Atomic City, and Lone Pine Road near the Gay Mine, helping focus search efforts.
Woodland was found separately from his vehicle, which was later located farther up Bear Canyon Road after it slid off the roadway and became stuck. Tribal Fish & Game wardens are coordinating with Bannock County officials to retrieve the vehicle. The Bannock County Coroner’s Office has taken custody of Woodland’s remains, and the investigation into his death remains ongoing under the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office. Woodland’s family has been notified.
Several agencies assisted in the search, including Bannock County Search & Rescue, Idaho State Police, Portneuf Air Rescue, Pocatello Police Department, Fort Hall Police Department, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Fish & Game Enforcement, and the Sheriff’s Offices of Bingham, Twin Falls, Butte, Power, and Caribou Counties.
“This is not the outcome our teams hoped for,” said Thomas Wadsworth, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Fish & Game Enforcement Interim Director. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Woodland family during this difficult time.”
Fort Hall Business Council Chairwoman Donna Thompson added, “Our hearts are with the Woodland family today. We are deeply saddened by this loss and thank all who assisted in the search.”
Woodland was a retired Bannock County 6th District Judge.