​

Our story begins with Irene Gakwa, a bright, kind-hearted young woman from Kenya who came to Gillette, Wyoming, in July 2021 with her “fiancé,” full of hope for a new chapter in her life. Just months later, in February 2022, Irene vanished — without a trace, without a goodbye, leaving behind a family desperate for answers.

For nearly a month, no one outside her family even knew she was missing. Her “fiancé” never reported her disappearance. Instead, he sent text messages to Irene’s family, pretending to be her — claiming her phone had been dropped in water and that her camera and speaker no longer worked. “I’m fine,” the messages said. But something felt wrong. The words were in English, not the familiar mix of English and Swahili that Irene always used. Her brothers, Kennedy and Chris, knew in their hearts that something was terribly off. On March 20, 2022, they drove from Boise, Idaho, to Gillette to report their sister missing.

When the Gillette Police Department finally issued a press release, it offered few details. It revealed that Irene’s “fiancé” had been arrested on five felony charges — accused of draining her bank account, maxing out her credit cards, and making disturbing purchases: a pair of boots, pants, and a shovel from the local Walmart. He had even deleted her email and WhatsApp accounts. Despite these alarming facts, he was released on bond and continued living in the home they once shared.

As the days passed, the silence surrounding Irene’s case was deafening. There were no visible search efforts, no widespread calls for help. So, we decided to act. What began as a small group of four people determined to find Irene grew into a movement. We printed posters, yard signs, banners, flyers, and postcards — anything to keep her face and name in the public eye. We organized searches, reached out to cadaver dog teams from Goshen County and bloodhound handlers from Colorado, and built a network of volunteers and supporters who refused to let Irene’s story fade away. Our efforts brought national attention to her case, ensuring that Irene’s name — and her story — would not be forgotten.

In April 2023, her “fiancé,” Nathan Hightman, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges related to his financial crimes against Irene. His bail was revoked, and in June 2023, he was sentenced to up to nine years in prison. But Irene is still missing.

Through our fight for Irene, we discovered a heartbreaking truth — there are so many others like her. Wyoming ranks among the highest in the nation for missing persons, yet countless stories remain untold. Families are left to navigate the overwhelming process of searching for their loved ones, often without resources or support. We saw their pain, their exhaustion, and their determination — and we knew we had to do more.

That’s how WyoFind was born. We made a promise that no family should ever face the nightmare of a missing loved one alone or be denied help because of cost. We became a donation-based nonprofit, powered entirely by volunteers, dedicated to providing search support, awareness campaigns, and media outreach — all free of charge. Every dollar we raise goes directly toward finding the missing and telling their stories.

For us, this isn’t just a mission. It’s personal. Irene’s story lit a fire in our hearts — one that drives us every day to bring the missing home and to stand beside the families who refuse to give up hope.

 

WyoFind is a nonprofit organization founded in 2023 in Gillette, Wyoming, dedicated to supporting families of missing persons through the challenging and often lengthy process of locating their loved ones. Our mission is to provide compassionate assistance, clear communication, and practical resources to families while fostering strong, respectful partnerships with law enforcement agencies.

We work hand in hand with families to help them navigate the emotional and logistical difficulties that accompany a missing person investigation. Our team assists with organizing searches, offering emotional support, and helping families understand investigative procedures — always with full respect for law enforcement operations.

Although we receive information and tips through our website, every piece of information is promptly and directly forwarded to the law enforcement agency handling the case. We believe that collaboration, transparency, and trust are essential to achieving the shared goal of bringing missing persons home safely.

WyoFind also serves as a bridge between families and law enforcement. We recognize that as time passes, communication can become strained and emotions can intensify. Our role is to help maintain open, respectful dialogue so that families feel supported while law enforcement can continue their work effectively and without disruption.

We hold deep respect for the dedication and professionalism of law enforcement officers and view WyoFind as a partner in the shared mission of finding the missing and supporting those left behind. We are committed to building strong working relationships with agencies across the state and assisting in ways that align with official investigative efforts.

Thank you for your continued service and commitment to the safety and well-being of our communities.

Accomplishments and Certifications

Our team is highly trained and prepared to respond to even the most demanding search efforts. With FEMA training, Backcountry Search and Rescue certification, First Aid certification, and specialized CalTopo mapping and navigation training, we possess the skills and knowledge necessary to operate safely and effectively in diverse and often difficult environments. This combination of training ensures that every search is conducted with professionalism, precision, and a deep commitment to bringing the missing home

Client Testimonial

Christopher Mauk – Laramie, Wyoming
In July 2022, Christopher “Fid” Mauk went missing from Laramie, Wyoming, leaving his family and friends searching for answers. WyoFind joined the effort to locate him, organizing multiple searches with the invaluable support of volunteer searchers from South Dakota. Our teams focused on the Vedauwoo area — a place Chris loved and was known to frequent — covering challenging terrain in hopes of bringing him home.

In November 2023, a man walking his dog discovered human remains that were later identified as Chris. Though the outcome was heartbreaking, it brought long-awaited closure to his loved ones.

Following the identification, WyoFind continued to stand beside the Mauk family, offering emotional and logistical support during their time of grief. We were honored to assist with Chris’s funeral service and to create the funeral media that celebrated his life, his spirit, and the love he left behind.

Chris’s story reflects the heart of WyoFind’s mission — to search tirelessly, support families unconditionally, and honor those who are gone but never forgotten.

Azia Saldana – Torrington, Wyoming
When Azia Saldana went missing from Torrington, Wyoming, her family was desperate for answers and support. WyoFind immediately began investigating, reaching out to contacts, and coordinating with local resources to help locate her. Through persistence, communication, and teamwork, we were able to find Azia safely and bring her back home to Torrington. She is now receiving the care and support she needs, and WyoFind remains in close contact with her and her family to ensure she continues to have the help and stability she deserves.

Nick Salvagni – Golden, Colorado
In the case of Nick Salvagni, WyoFind was asked to assist in mapping and leading a search in the rugged terrain of Dinosaur Ridge near Golden, Colorado. We assembled a dedicated volunteer team, including members who traveled from South Dakota to join the effort. After hours of searching on the ground, Nick’s shoes were located — a critical discovery that ultimately led to the recovery of his remains.

Following Nick’s discovery, WyoFind continued to support his family, helping them fulfill their heartfelt goal of spreading Nick’s ashes in every state across the United States covering Wyoming and South Dakota. It was an honor to stand beside his loved ones through their grief and healing, ensuring Nick’s memory continues to be honored across the country.

James “Bo” Galloway – Sheridan, Wyoming
When James “Bo” Galloway went missing in Sheridan, Wyoming, his family faced an incredibly painful and uncertain time. WyoFind stepped in to provide steady support, serving as a compassionate bridge between the family and law enforcement to ensure communication remained clear, respectful, and productive.

Throughout the search, we assisted the family with organized search efforts, investigative coordination, and media outreach to keep Bo’s story visible and the community engaged. Our goal was to ease the family’s burden so they could focus on hope and healing while we worked alongside them to find answers.

In January 2026, Bo’s remains were located, bringing long-awaited closure to his loved ones. WyoFind continued to stand by the family, helping them through the next steps of remembrance and healing. We were honored to assist with the reception portion of Bo’s service and to design and provide the memorial cards that celebrated his life and legacy.

Bo’s story is a reminder of why WyoFind exists — to walk beside families through their darkest moments, offering compassion, resources, and unwavering support every step of the way.

Our Mission

No family should ever endure the pain of having a loved one go missing — yet it is a heartbreaking reality that too many face. While we cannot erase their suffering, our mission is to stand beside families with compassion, guidance, and unwavering support, helping them navigate every step of the journey to the best of our ability.

Helping Families Find Closure

Join us in our mission to reunite missing persons with their loved ones.