Private investigator searching campground for evidence in DeOrr Kunz case
Published at | Updated at
LEADORE — A private investigator spent today searching the Timber Creek Campground for signs of missing toddler DeOrr Kunz, Jr.
Philip Klein of Klein Investigations in Texas says he and his team have been conducting searches at the campground since early Sunday morning.
“We have obtained a cadaver dog from Georgia and we are currently doing a ground search on a specific area of the campground,” Klein tells EastIdahoNews.com.
Klein was previously employed as a private investigator by father Vernal DeOrr Kunz, but was fired by the family in March after claiming mother Jessica Mitchell knew where DeOrr’s body was.
The private investigator has since been retained by an unknown benefactor to continue his investigation into the case.
On Wednesday, Klein told EastIdahoNews.com his team has uncovered more evidence in the case for the missing boy and law enforcement has been notified. He declined to elaborate on the evidence.
Lemhi County Sheriff Chief Deputy Steve Penner confirms to EastIdahoNews.com that his department has been cooperating with Klein’s search.
“There are things his guys have found and we’ve come up to take a closer look at it,” Penner said, adding that there have no major developments or finds in the case.
DeOrr disappeared while on a camping trip in Leadore with his parents, great-grandfather, and a family friend nearly a year ago.
There has been no sign of the now 3-year-old since July 10 and local and federal investigators believe the child was either accidentally or intentionally killed.
Nobody has been charged in the case, but Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman said the boy’s parents, Vernal DeOrr Kunz and Jessica Mitchell, are considered suspects.
DeOrr Kunz Jr. Chronology
Search for missing 2-year-old in Lemhi County
A closer look at the campground where DeOrr disappeared
DeOrr Kunz disappearance: A timeline of events
Grandma of missing 2-year-old: “He just vanished”
Heartbroken parents of missing 2-year-old: “We’ll find you, son”
Lemhi sheriff: “We do not suspect foul play”
Lemhi County chief deputy: “We have new leads in DeOrr case”
DeOrr investigator: “I think we know how; we’re just trying to figure out why”
DeOrr’s parents named as suspects in child’s disappearance
Kunz investigator: Jessica Mitchell knows where DeOrr’s body is
Lemhi sheriff’s office talks social media conversation in DeOrr Kunz case
Eaton: Answers to questions you’ve asked about the DeOrr Kunz case