The person at the center of this case
Wayne Dee Heath
Missing Person · Unsolved - 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 #1Was the boat's propeller damage consistent with the anchor rope entanglement story?
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witness
Lead #2What details did the friend and any other witnesses provide about Heath's final moments and swimming ability?
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location
Lead #3Why was Heath unable to reach shore despite being in a location with presumably accessible banks?
Wayne Dee Heath, a 37-year-old man, went missing on April 1, 1986, while fishing on the South Fork Snake River in Bonneville, Idaho when his aluminum boat capsized during an attempt to free an entangled anchor rope. Both occupants exited the vessel, but Heath was unable to reach shore and drifted downstream out of sight, with authorities presuming he drowned. Despite decades of investigation, the exact circumstances of his death and the location of his remains have never been definitively established.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Have any remains or personal effects ever been recovered downstream from the incident site?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
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 disappearance
Wayne Dee Heath and a friend were fishing on the South Fork Snake River when they attempted to free an anchor rope entangled in the boat's motor propeller. The boat filled with water and both parties exited. Heath was unable to reach shore and drifted downstream out of sight. Presumed drowned.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:April 1, 1986
Last Updated:July 21, 2026
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Phone: 2085291375
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Case Information
Incident:April 1, 1986
Last Updated:July 21, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2085291375
You can remain anonymous