Abandoned mines are extremely dangerous to explore and even to go near. In Utah, many are undocumented, especially on private property. Mine shafts are particularly hazardous because they are nothing but vertical openings that go very deep, some more than one thousand feet into the earth. People can fall into the shafts never to be found again, which makes abandoned mines and mine shafts ideal places to dump dead bodies.
I am an undercover narcotics officer. A confidential informant told me that a body had been dumped down a winze of an abandoned mine shaft. Winzes are vertical drops; but within the mines themselves they are shafts that connect one level to another lower level, like an elevator shaft without the elevator. Winzes can descend to depths that are water-filled, toxic, and radioactive. I’m sure bodies can decompose quickly if culprits know what they are doing. (I do not recommend anyone ever explore such places. The shaft collars of these dormant mines are often loose and unconsolidated and the sides of the walls break away easily from intrusion.)
I drive into the quiet countryside and get permission from the owner to investigate the abandoned mine on his property. I first search for any disturbances in the area—such as loose gravel, footwear impressions, and blood—anything to indicate that a body was dumped. I don’t see anything unusual. What I do find are old equipment, piles of waste rock all around, and a couple of old buildings left standing. I spot what I believe to be a mine tunnel, wide open. At least this is consistent with what the informant told me. You can’t always trust an informant’s information.
I shine my light through the mine opening and see movement in a dark corner. It appears to be a child, about four feet tall. I immediately yell to him, “Police, come out! You are not in any trouble! It is too dangerous for you to go any farther! Hello?” There is no answer.
I think it might be the rancher’s kid, but learn later he didn’t have any children. This is a desolate area and it doesn’t appear like anyone has been here in a long time—not even vehicles.
Reluctantly, I step into the opening of the mine. I do not intend to proceed much farther. It is too dangerous. The opening is held up by old support timbers that seem safe enough and stable but could easily be rotted wood. I try not to be fooled by appearances. Such old structures can easily disintegrate from the weight of just one person
“Young man,” I said, “this is NOT a cave! It is unstable and can cave-in! Come out!” I am anxious for the boy to walk out as I know the dangers of these places. Still, no answer. I walk into the mine a little farther, and I see movement again. “I see you! Come out! I just want to talk to you. You can DIE if you fall down a hidden shaft!”
There is no answer—yet I know I am not seeing things. It has to be a kid. It moved on two legs and appeared agile. He moved quickly. I was certain the kid was playing games with me. Then I thought to myself, Okay, I’ll just be totally still and catch you on your way out. Then I’ll give you a good scolding and send you home.
I stand behind a support beam for what felt like an hour; in reality, it was probably only twenty minutes. It was a hot day and time felt like it was standing still. A flicker of movement: I see the shadow again.
But as soon as I see it, it disappears. And I swear I didn’t move a muscle. I start to second-guess myself and think, Well, it could be an animal. Maybe it is a bear or a mountain lion and is merely escaping the noon heat. After all, animals are known to den in these mines. I keep one hand near my pistol at all times.
It must have been 100 degrees, even in the cooler recesses of the mine. I take a drink of water and it moves again. The shadow is definitely two-legged and there are two obvious long, slender arms. It is human alright, I think. I no longer doubt myself.
“Come on!” I shout. “I could use your help right now! Talk to me!” It moves swiftly again from one support structure to another. I can’t see it clearly in the dark. I stand still for another twenty minutes. I decide to wait until it is close enough and then I’ll shine my flashlight on him. Admittedly, I am hot, getting frustrated, irritated, and tired of waiting. Nevertheless, I remain motionless and unwavering. When I’m truly beginning to doubt myself, I finally see movement again, coming closer and closer. He was almost within arm’s reach; I had him now! I surprised him. I shined my light on him in one swift click of the button. When he turned toward me, I saw a reptilian-faced creature that scared the shit out of me—and I ran!
The instant the light shone on its face, it dove into the earth like it was water. Initially I thought he went into a winze, but there was not an opening. It was solid ground.
I wasn’t seeing things. Its face was greenish-gray and reptilian. Maybe it was an animal; but no one has been able to convince me of that yet. It was too weird!
Turn the page. On a scale of one to ten—with ten being perfect—I rate the accuracy of my memory at 8.5. I suppose it could have been a person in a mask, but in a dark mine? With no one else around?