Name: Micheal James Kroll
Age: 41 years old
Last seen: October 16, 2021
Location: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Status: Found deceased on September 25, 2022
Case Information
41 year old Micheal Kroll was last seen on October 16, 2021 in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He disappeared after leaving work, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Disappearance
Micheal was last seen in Pagosa Springs, Colorado on October 16, 2021. 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.
Micheal may be in need of medical attention.
Investigation
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.
“There are no additional details available as this is an active and ongoing investigation,” according to a press release by the Pagosa Springs Police Department.
Arrest Made in Michael Kroll’s Death
On August 18, 2023, 60 year old Glen Canyon Lee Hunt was arrested and charged with second degree murder in connection with Michael Kroll’s death.
Hunt, formerly from Archuleta County, is currently being held on a $50,000 bond. At this time the motive is unknown.
Appearance
Caucasian male born on July 20, 1980. Micheal has brown hair, hazel eyes, stands 5’10, and weighs 130 pounds. At the time of his disappearance Micheal had long hair and a mustache.
Has two round shaped scars on his upper chest, a scar on his forehead, and several scars on his nose.
Micheal has a tattoo on the back of his left shoulder that says “MAD” with the Mad Hatter hat on top of the letter “M.”
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Micheal Kroll please contact the Pagosa Springs Police Department at (970) 264-4151 ext. 241, Private Investigator Lindsey Paison at (303) 888-5789, or the We Help The Missing Tip Line at (866) 660-4025.
Resources & Further Information
Micheal James Kroll – NamUS
Bring Michael Kroll Home – Facebook
Missing Episode 291: Micheal Kroll – Apple Podcasts
Help Find Missing Micheal Kroll – Facebook
Micheal Kroll – Facebook
News & Media Links
Former Joplin Resident Listed as Missing By Authorities – KSN
41 Year Old Pagosa Springs Man Missing Since Mid October – KDVR
Man Missing in Colorado, Dog & Phone Found in Separate Locations – Out There Colorado
Human Remains Located in La Plata County Identified as Missing Man – Pagosa Sun
Videos & Flyers
We, a couple of local people who had met Micheal shortly after he came to Pagosa, haven’t given up. We are still actively trying to determine what happened and will continue until we know.