Forest Fenn Treasure Hunt Claims Another Victim

The hunt for the infamous Forest Fenn treasure may have claimed a third victim.

Eric Ashby's family says the 31-year-old went missing last month while searching for the treasure hidden in the Rocky Mountains.

Ashby's sister Lisa says he moved to Colorado last year to hunt across the 3,000 miles for the treasure estimated at over $2 million. 

"He loved trying to solve puzzles and riddles, so when he heard about Forrest Fenn’s treasure, of course, he was intrigued." 

Ashby was last seen late June rafting the Arkansas River in Colorado's Fremont County with other people.

Witnesses say the raft overturned and pulled multiple people into the river, but Ashby never came to the surface.

Sheriff James Beicker of the Fremont County Sheriff's Office says they found human remains 10-15 miles downstream from where the raft overturned and Ashby is the only person known to have been missing.

"In discussion with parks officers and to my knowledge, no one is looking for any other missing persons that I'm aware of associated especially to the river."

If the remains are positively identified as Ashby, it would confirm him as the third victim of the treasure hunt.

The treasure was hidden by former Air Force fighter pilot and author Forrest Fenn who in his later years opened an art gallery with his wife.

In 1988, Fenn was diagnosed with kidney cancer and assuming he would die, decided to write his life story and hide a few valuable items in his grave.

However, he didn't die so the treasure filled chest sat in his home for over 20 years until about 7 years ago.

He hid the chest in the mountains and wrote a poem full of clues as to where the chest is exactly.

As I have gone alone in there

And with my treasures bold,

I can keep my secret where,

And hint of riches new and old.

Begin it where warm waters halt

And take it in the canyon down,

Not far, but too far to walk.

Put in below the home of Brown.

From there it’s no place for the meek,

The end is drawing ever nigh;

There’ll be no paddle up your creek,

Just heavy loads and water high.

If you’ve been wise and found the blaze,

Look quickly down, your quest to cease

But tarry scant with marvel gaze,

Just take the chest and go in peace.

So why is it that I must go

And leave my trove for all to seek?

The answers I already know

I’ve done it tired, and now I’m weak

So hear me all and listen good,

Your effort will be worth the cold.

If you are brave and in the wood

I give you title to the gold.

The first two men who died looking for the treasure were Pastor Paris Wallace and Randy Bilyeu.


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