The body of a Kansas man who mysteriously left his family in September was discovered in his crashed vehicle in a Utah ravine with letters penned to his wife and children, The Washington Post reported.
A hitchhiker found David Welch, 54, and his crashed car on Oct. 18 according to Utah Highway Patrolman Gary Riches. Authorities found his body tangled inside the minivan wreckage at the bottom of a 50-foot ravine next to notes for his wife and four sons.
Both the Welch family and Utah Highway Patrol are declining to share what he wrote in the letters and called it a very personal matter.
Welch was first reported missing on Sept. 2 after he left his home in Manhattan, Kansas. Riley County Police spokesman Matt Droge said Welch, a retired salesman, left home in his 2000 Pontiac Montana without telling anyone where he was headed.
Although several searches were performed by authorities in Riley County, the areas came up empty. Welch was also listed in the national missing persons database.
The family created a Facebook page called "Find Dave Welch," asking people to drive an extra two blocks per day to expand the search and hopefully find him in the area. On Oct. 17 -- the day before he was found -- the family posted a message directed to Welch.
"Dear Dave, it has been 7 weeks since you left. Your wife, children and grandchildren miss you more than the sky is high. Your classmates and friends are concerned for your health and want to help. As we sit at home tonight with tears welling up; Our hearts aching, we wonder where you are. We only pray that you see this message and ask God to bring you home soon. We love you!"
Although his disappearance was puzzling, authorities believe Welch fell asleep at the wheel and crashed.
