The Great Basin Serial Killer: What Happened To Amy Wroe Bechtel (9/29/25)

Amy Wroe Bechtel disappeared on July 24, 1997, in the small town of Lander, Wyoming. A 24-year-old newlywed and avid runner, Amy set out for a jog on a rural loop in the Wind River Mountains and never returned. Her car was found abandoned at a turnout along the road, and her keys, wallet, and other personal belongings were left inside. The search that followed was massive—hundreds of volunteers, search dogs, helicopters, and divers scoured the rugged terrain—but no trace of Amy was ever found. Her disappearance shook the close-knit community and quickly drew national attention. Suspicion soon fell on her husband, Steve Bechtel, a climbing enthusiast, after investigators discovered a troubling journal entry where he had written about violence toward women. Though he denied involvement and has never been charged, the cloud of suspicion has followed him for decades. Other theories emerged, including the possibility that Amy was abducted by a stranger or fell victim to serial killer Dale Wayne Eaton, who was active in Wyoming at the time. Yet none of these leads ever produced answers. Nearly three decades later, Amy’s case remains unsolved, a haunting mystery that continues to weigh heavily on her family and on the town of Lander. to contact me: [email protected]