CEDAR CITY — More than seven weeks have passed since Cedar City resident Johnny Dale Rollins Sr. vanished, seemingly without a trace. Volunteers are planning to hike one of Rollins’ favorite trails Saturday in hopes of either finding his body or possible clues to his disappearance.
On the afternoon of March 27, Rollins, a 63-year-old former truck driver with a history of strokes and dementia, reportedly left his home at 633 W. 1275 North after telling his wife Virginia Rollins that he was going for a long walk.
Virginia Rollins said her husband would often go on such walks around town and nothing seemed amiss or unusual at the time he left home that Tuesday afternoon.
“The only thing different about that day is he never came back,” she said.
Police officers and search and rescue personnel have conducted multiple searches for Rollins, but so far nothing has turned up.
One of Johnny Rollins’ favorite areas to hike was the Thunderbird Gardens area around Red Hill, his wife said.
Alexis Jones, who lives in Rollins’ neighborhood, is helping organize Saturday’s hike. Those wanting to help should meet at the Thunderbird Gardens trailhead at 5 p.m. To get to the trailhead, follow East 900 North street for about a mile east of Main Street, as it winds around Cedar Ridge Golf Course.
Volunteers will be traversing the hiking and biking trail known as the Razorback Trail, which runs for about one mile along the west side of Red Hill and ends at state Route 14 on the eastern edge of town. Click here for map.
The hike/search is expected to take a little over two hours, ending between 7 and 8 p.m. The trail is moderately difficult, with total elevation changes of about 200 feet. Hikers should come prepared with appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes and plenty of drinking water.
Johnny Rollins is described as white, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds with blue eyes, gray hair and a gray beard. At the time he was last seen, he was reportedly wearing dark or black pants, a black T-shirt, a black jacket with white lettering reading “Swift” and brown cowboy boots.
Anyone with information about Rollins is asked to contact Cedar City Police Department by calling 435-586-2955.
Event details
- What: Hike and search for missing Johnny Rollins.
- When: Saturday, May 19, 5-8 p.m.
- Where: Meet at Thunderbird Gardens Trailhead at 5 p.m., then be prepared to hike in pairs or small groups the length of the 1.1 mile Razorback Trail. Click here for map of the trail.
- What to bring: Clothing and shoes appropriate for terrain and weather, and drinking water.
- Details: If interested in participating, please indicate via the Facebook event link.
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