76-year-old Frenchman disappears in Utah park, his ‘desperate’ family appeals for witnesses

On August 23, rangers at Arches National Park in Utah found the apparently abandoned car of a Frenchman, Francis Userovici. The 76-year-old had taken advantage of his visit to the United States for a family reunion in Portland, Oregon, to indulge in his passion for travel. His goal was to discover some of the great mythical parks of the American West.

As soon as his vehicle was discovered, an alert was raised and a search operation was launched. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the disappearance of Francis Userovici remains unexplained. His family, worried and desperate, has launched an appeal for witnesses to obtain any information that could help find this man in excellent physical and mental shape.

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When rangers discovered the rental car parked in the Sand Dune Arch parking lot, they tried to contact the family for information. “Dad was reportedly seen entering Arches National Park on the morning of August 16, a week before the search began. As soon as his vehicle was found, authorities launched a massive search operation, but the park is huge!” he explains to 20 Minutes Francis Userovici’s daughter. The search proved particularly complex due to the park’s vastness, its rugged topography and the extreme summer heat.

“Remarkable physical health for his age”

Francis Userovici had booked his hotels until the beginning of September, which is a testament to his well-established plans and positive state of mind: “He was really happy and doing well. He had lots of plans and was looking forward to his travels.” His health? It was good, he was even “in excellent shape” according to his family. “My father had planned to start tennis lessons again at the start of the school year. He was very active and had remarkable physical health for his age,” says his daughter.

From Paris, Francis Userovici’s daughter is moving heaven and earth to advance the search. By cross-referencing bank statements and phone data, she discovered that her father had booked a hotel room in Moab from August 15 to 18, but that he had never returned after entering the park. “I wonder why the hotel didn’t report anything. He had a reservation until the 18th, and no one reacted when he didn’t return his room a week later. I find it strange that they didn’t alert us sooner.”

A 76-year-old Frenchman has been missing since mid-August in Arches National Park in the United States.
A 76-year-old Frenchman has been missing since mid-August in Arches National Park in the United States.– Hannah Schoenbaum

The discovery of the rental car, locked and containing essential personal belongings such as his iPad and a backpack, adds to the mystery. “When we found his car locked, with his iPad and his belongings in it, it didn’t add up. If he had planned to go hiking, he would have taken these things with him,” the missing man’s daughter explains. This detail has led the family to consider a criminal investigation, although authorities are not prioritizing this hypothesis at this time.

“I am very worried and desperate”

Originally from eastern France, between Alsace and Champagne, Francis Userovici lived in the Paris region after working as a telecommunications engineer for a long time. Passionate about nature and travel and recently retired, he traveled the world with his family before continuing solo after the death of his wife in 2021. “He loved to venture to less frequented places to get exceptional photos, it was not unusual for him to spend hours looking for the right place,” confides his daughter. Described by his loved ones as determined, curious and resilient, Francis Userovici was always ready to explore new horizons.

The call for witnesses was broadcast on the park’s social networksthe Userovici family hopes someone can provide crucial details. “I am very worried and desperate. This is my father and we need all the help we can get to find him,” said his daughter, who hopes the appeal will help trace her father’s whereabouts. “He was the kind of person who would always offer to take pictures of people, rather than have them take selfies. He had this sense of sharing and generosity. Maybe someone has come across him and remembers him.”

If you have any information, you can call the park directly at (+1) 888-653-0009 or send an email via the form.

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