Nearly two years after he disappeared, an arrest has been made in connection with Michael Kroll’s disappearance.
On Friday, 60 year old Glen Canyon Lee Hunt was arrested and charged with second degree murder in connection with Michael Kroll’s death.
Kroll’s remains were found by hikers in September 2022, in the area of La Plata County’s Middle Mountain Road, northeast of Vallecito Reservoir.
Hunt, formerly from Archuleta County, is currently being held on a $50,000 bond. At this time the motive is unknown.
Michael Kroll’s Disappearance
41 year old Michael Kroll was last seen at work on October 16, 2021 in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
He was last seen leaving the Humane Society Thrift Store after his work shift ended at 5:15 pm, and his last known contact was by text later that evening.
Micheal never showed up for his scheduled work shift on October 19, 2021, and was reported missing later that evening. He was officially listed as a missing person by the Pagosa Police Department on October 21, 2021.
On October 17, 2021, Micheal’s 7 year old service dog Bernie was found wandering around a gas station in Bayfield, Colorado, without it’s service vest or halter.
Micheal took his service dog everywhere with him, and would not voluntarily be separated from him.
On October 18, 2021, Micheal’s cell phone was found by construction workers on the side of Highway 160 near Chimney Rock, about 40 miles away from where his dog was found.
When he didn’t show up for work on the morning of October 19 his home was checked, but Micheal was nowhere to be found. His personal belongings, including his hiking gear, were located inside. It is unknown if his bicycle is accounted for.
Searches by the Pagosa Springs Police Department, with help from the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Ute Ranger Division, have turned up no new information regarding Micheal’s whereabouts.
An extensive search of Highway 160, CO 151, and the Capote Lake area was conducted on October 24, 2021, but turned up no new information.
Remains Found in September, 2022
On September 25, 2022, hikers found skeletal remains of an adult male in the area of La Plata County’s Middle Mountain Road, northeast of Vallecito Reservoir.
In January 2023, DNA test results from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation Forensic Laboratory positively identified them as belonging to Michael Kroll.
Anybody with information in Michael’s case is asked to call Detective Neagle at the Pagosa Springs Police Department at (970) 264-4151 extension 241.
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