Decades-Old Disappearance in the Bitterroot Range Revealed by Recent Find

A tragic mystery from 1995 has resurfaced after hikers discovered an old trail camera in the Montana wilderness, shedding light on the mysterious disappearance of a young backpacker named Simon Greavves.

On June 18, 1995, Simon, aged 26, encountered a strange trail marker—a tree encircled with no sign or name—and took a photo before vanishing. His tent was found abandoned two weeks later, with his belongings untouched and only a blurred photograph of an unknown path and shadowy figures on undeveloped film.

Fast forward to September 2024, seasoned hikers Leah Madson and Mason discovered a sealed 1990s trail camera buried near Lost Horse Creek. When developed, the film revealed haunting images: a man in the woods, seemingly watching, drawing closer in each shot, before the footage abruptly ended.

Driven by this evidence, Leah and Mason explored further into the wilderness, finding old trail signs, remnants of camps, and an abandoned ranger cabin. Inside, they uncovered a concealed note hinting at continued surveillance and a mysterious figure across the creek, observed for days without movement. Ignoring warnings, they followed an overgrown ridge, discovering a cairn with markings, a battered sign, and a stone bench engraved with “Greavves.”

They continued their investigation, uncovering photographs showing a tall, shadowy figure behind the bench, and discovering footprints and ominous messages warning them to look elsewhere. A hidden, off-grid cabin revealed decades of surveillance: photographs, maps, and a key ID belonging to Charles Kellerman, a ranger who vanished in 1997 who had been secretly watching hikers.

Climactic findings at a spiral site included a damaged shelter inscribed “He followed me back,” and a camera with images of hikers unknowingly watched by the mysterious observer. The last photo captured a screaming hiker with a blurred figure lurking behind in the trees.

Leah and Mason compiled and released their evidence, sparking widespread discussions on the unresolved case. Their findings showed that some trails hide secrets, and shadows linger long after the disappearance.

In the final imagery captured by a drone, a shadowy figure was seen standing silently above a scorched pine, then vanishing—reminding us that certain paths and faces are never forgotten, waiting patiently for the next unwary visitor.