Authorities searched Garnet Canyon with the help of search and rescue dog teams as well as helicopters. Tragically, no signs of his whereabouts were uncovered.
On June 14, 2021, it seemed like there was a possible break in the case. A local woman named Heather Mycoskie spoke to authorities and claimed to have seen Cian on June 8 at 2:30 p.m., when he was hiking approximately a half mile away from the trailhead.
In a statement, National Park Service officials said, “The individual reported McLaughlin was headed south towards Taggart Lake and had a conversation with McLaughlin where he described where he worked, that he’s from Ireland, and currently living in Jackson.”
However, after authorities executed searches close to Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake, no evidence was discovered.
Additional investigation into this supposed spotting revealed Heather had never seen anyone matching Cian’s description the day he disappeared. Witnesses also reportedly told authorities that she had fabricated the sighting to make sure search efforts for Cian continued.
“As a direct result of Mycoskie’s false report, approximately 532 hours were spent conducting searches, managing search efforts, conducting follow-up investigations, and completing associated reports. This wasted valuable time could have been focused on searching areas of higher probability and cost the Federal Government approximately $17,600,” the National Park Service said in a news release.
Heather was ultimately ordered to pay $17,600 in restitution and was banned from Grand Teton National Park for five years.
As for Cian, the exact circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear, and his case is unsolved. Authorities have found no further information and continue asking for community members’ help.
Cian was six feet tall, weighed 180 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. He had a tattoo of a bottle on his upper right arm and was last seen wearing shorts, a white T-shirt, a red Apple Watch, a bucket hat, and wire-rimmed round sunglasses.
If you have any information related to his case, you are urged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch at (888) 653-0009.
