DA, DEC provide details on search for Harold Hoyt

Posted 4/12/23

FORESTBURGH, NY —The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty have provided more information about the search for Harold Hoyt, a …

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DA, DEC provide details on search for Harold Hoyt

Photo provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation

The search for Harold Hoyt, a 35-year-old Glen Spay man, ended on April 7.

Photo provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation

The search for Harold Hoyt, a 35-year-old Glen Spay man, ended on April 7.

Photo provided by the Department of Environmental Conservation

The search for Harold Hoyt, a 35-year-old Glen Spay man, ended on April 7.

Posted Wednesday, April 12, 2023 3:47 pm

Missing Glen Spey man found dead

FORESTBURGH, NY —The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty have provided more information about the search for Harold Hoyt, a 35-year-old from Glen Spey found dead on April 7.

The DEC said, "On March 31, five DEC Forest Rangers responded to a request for Ranger assistance in the search for a subject who went missing after off-roading with a friend on March 29. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Department and New York State Police (NYSP) K9 units were also on scene. The search continued until April 7, with up to 65 people from local fire departments, search and rescue groups, and volunteers searching each day. DEC Forest Rangers coordinated the search with 26 Rangers covering a one-mile radius from the subject's last known point. ATVs, UTVs, drones, and a NYSP helicopter were used during the search efforts. On the morning of April 7, Rangers received enhanced cell phone data from the FBI that placed the subject southeast of his last known point in an area that had not been searched. At 12:40 p.m., Ranger Allwine found the subject deceased. He was identified as 35-year-old Harold Hoyt from Glen Spey. Search crews carried the body approximately three-quarters of a mile out to the road for transport to the County Coroner. Resources were demobilized by 7:30 p.m."

District Attorney Brian Conaty said, "I want to take this time to praise the hard work and dedication across all of Sullivan County’s law enforcement agencies and first responders. On 3/30/23, Sullivan County resident Harold Hoyt went missing. Numerous agencies sprang into action to locate him by commencing an 8 day search through dense forest and rugged terrain. Responders utilized both aviation and K-9 units. When further efforts to locate him seemed futile our first responders persisted. They then utilized cutting-edge technologies such as drones and historical cell-site location information to ascertain Mr. Hoyt’s whereabouts. Although our first responders were ultimately successful in locating him it was met with great sadness that he was found deceased. I send my deepest condolences to the Hoyt family.

"It is coordinated investigations such as this that highlight Sullivan County’s first responder’s unwavering commitment to serve the public. The cooperation across numerous agencies, the countless hours worked, and the resources deployed for the betterment of Sullivan County is a testament to our values as a County. And for that, I praise them.

"I specifically want to thank the: Woodbourne Correctional Facility CERT team; Eastern Correctional Facility CERT team; Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office; New York State Police; Sullivan County 911; NY Department of Environmental Conservation Emergency Management team; NY Department of Environmental Protection; Cuddebackville Fire Department; Westbrookville Fire Department; Forestburgh Fire Department; Port Jervis Fire Department; Sparrowbush Fire Department; New York State Parks; Hope Alive 845; Federation Search and Rescue; FBI Safe Streets Task Force; and Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office."