The person at the center of this case
Wayne Dee Heath
Missing Person · Closed - Presumed Drowned
40 years waiting · since 1986
Missing Person: Wayne Dee Heath
Justice for Wayne Dee Heath — the trail went cold in 1986, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Boat was recovered—what condition was it in and did it contain any clues about the exact circumstances?
👁️
witness
Lead #2Friend who was present during the incident—what was their account of Heath's final moments and attempts to reach shore?
💡
clue
Lead #3Body was never recovered despite presumed drowning—could it have been swept further downstream or caught in debris?
Wayne Dee Heath, a 37-year-old man, went missing on April 1, 1986, while fishing on the South Fork Snake River near Bonneville, Idaho. He and a friend were attempting to free an anchor rope caught in their boat's propeller when the vessel filled with water; Heath was unable to reach shore and is presumed drowned. Witnesses saw him drift downstream out of sight, though his body was never recovered despite the boat being found.
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP79482. Missing person: Wayne Dee Heath.
Last known contact: 1986-04-01 in South Fork Snake River, Bonneville, ID. Circumstances: Victim was fishing on the South Fork of the Snake River with a friend when they attempted to free an anchor rope which became entangled in the propeller of the motor on their aluminum boat.
The boat filled with water and both parties exited the boat. Victim was unable to reach the shore and is presumed drowned.
Witnesses observed the victim drifting downstream out of sight. The boat was recovered.
Demographics: 37 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 175 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Black snowmobile outfit; Footwear: Boots. Investigating agency: Bonneville County Sheriff's Office | 86-5456 | 1986-04-01.
Timeline of Events
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1986-04-01
Boating incident and presumed drowning
Wayne Dee Heath went missing while fishing with a friend on the South Fork Snake River. While attempting to free an anchor rope caught in the boat's propeller, the vessel filled with water. Heath was unable to reach shore and drifted downstream out of sight. Presumed drowned.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 1986
Last Updated:July 27, 2026
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Phone: 2085291375
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 1986
Last Updated:July 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2085291375
You can remain anonymous