Gering and the surrounding Nebraska Panhandle have closed a painful chapter with the confirmation that human remains discovered last month belong to Chance Leslie Englebert, the 25-year-old cowboy who vanished on July 6, 2019.
The Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office announced on November 25, 2025, that DNA testing positively identified the remains as Chance’s, bringing a bittersweet end to one of western Nebraska’s most high-profile missing-person cases.
A hiker discovered the remains in October 2025 in a rough, isolated section of Scotts Bluff National Monument, which is renowned for its steep bluffs and challenging access. After an argument, Chance was last seen heading south from his in-laws’ house on M Street.
According to investigators, he walked many miles in intense heat before arriving at the monument. Given the difficult terrain and the passage of time, authorities have determined that his death was an unintentional fall.
Despite the official determination, Chance’s mother, Dawn Englebert, has expressed doubt, telling Cowboy State Daily that some details shared by police do not fully align with her understanding of her son’s capabilities and the circumstances of that day. The family continues to process the news while grateful to finally bring Chance home.
Chance grew up in Moorcroft, Wyoming, where rodeo arenas and open ranges shaped his life from the start. A skilled roper and horseman, he lived the cowboy code: work hard, speak little, and stand by your word. In 2019 he had recently married and welcomed a son, carrying the pride of young fatherhood as he looked toward the future.
On the day he disappeared, Chance had been visiting family in Gering for the Oregon Trail Days weekend. After a disagreement, he left on foot, phone in hand, telling loved ones he was walking to clear his head. Despite exhaustive searches by law enforcement, volunteers, and private investigators, no trace was found for over six years.
Chance Leslie Englebert leaves behind his wife Baylee, their young son, parents Dawn and Mike Englebert, siblings, and a wide circle of friends across Wyoming and Nebraska. The cowboy who loved wide-open spaces has finally been laid to rest. A celebration of his life will be held in the coming weeks, details to be announced by the family. Rest easy, Chance. The range is quiet tonight.