A multi-agency search was still underway Wednesday along the Clearwater River near Lenore for Joseph Wren, a 31-year-old Peck man who went missing last weekend after being seen going underwater and not resurfacing.
Wren was last spotted around 3 p.m. Saturday near a beach along U.S. Highway 12 outside of Lenore. He is presumed drowned, and despite days of intensive searching, his body had not been recovered as of Wednesday.
Multiple Agencies Join the Effort
The Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office launched the search and has coordinated with several other law enforcement and emergency response agencies, including the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, Nez Perce Tribal Police, Idaho State Police, and the Nez Perce County Dive Team. Crews have deployed aerial, ground, watercraft, and underwater sonar resources across several miles of the river.
Family and friends of Wren have also stationed themselves at Cherrylane Bridge in Lenore, maintaining a volunteer presence along the water throughout the search. Volunteers have spread as far as 10 miles downriver from the site where Wren was last seen.
His aunt, Shelley Schlader, described the community response to the Lewiston Tribune: “There’s people walking, people driving, some with binoculars 10 miles down from here. They come and go… we are all very grateful for them.”
Community Rallies Around Wren’s Family
Those who know Wren say the outpouring of support reflects who he was as a person. Longtime friend Jesse Wallace told the Lewiston Tribune, “Joe is loved by a lot. He would do it for anybody, even if he knew them for a week.”
The Clearwater River corridor along Highway 12 is a popular summer recreation area, drawing swimmers, anglers, and boaters throughout the warm months. Conditions on the river can change quickly, and water temperatures and currents remain a serious hazard even in mid-summer.
What Comes Next
Authorities have not announced any plans to scale back or suspend the search as of Wednesday. Anyone with information or who spots anything along the river is asked to contact the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office at 208-799-3131. The family asks that the public remain alert and report anything unusual along the riverbanks between Lenore and points downstream.
For the latest public safety news across Nez Perce County, visit our coverage of ongoing safety alerts affecting the region.