On July 4, 1999, a family in Montrose County, Colorado, taking a Sunday swim, discovered a pick-up truck in the muddy water. The Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. The truck belonged to Dale Williams, who had not been seen or heard from for six weeks. The pickup and the crime scene gave no clues to Dale’s whereabouts.
Forty-two year-old Dale Williams was a devoted husband and father of two teenage daughters. He owned and operated an auto body shop in the town of Nucla. The night he disappeared, Dale didn’t make it home for dinner. At first, his wife, Diana, assumed he had just lost track of time. But by bedtime, she was worried:
“I called the shop a couple of times and no answer. So I thought, ‘Well, maybe he just didn’t hear the phone ’cause he’s using the air ratchets or something. I went to bed about 10, I laid there and I felt like something’s wrong. I tossed and turned all night, woke up several times and he still wasn’t home.”
What happened to Dale’s missing posters?
By dawn, Dale had not returned. As soon as she got her kids off to school, Diana drove straight to his garage:
“When I first walked in the shop, the door was unlocked. The hood was still up on the van. His tools were just lying around the vehicle like he’d just walked away from it for a few minutes. I went over to my mother-in-law’s and she hadn’t heard from him the day before or that morning.”
They searched for hours before calling the police. Investigators learned Dale made a brief stop at family friend Tami Lowrance’s office about 12:15 P.M. the day he disappeared:
“I had a windshield that I needed repaired on a truck of ours. I thought it was strange that Dale stopped in, because he didn’t have to stop and tell me. He could have called me.”
Dale was in a hurry. According to Tammy, he told her he was on his way to help a stranded motorist:
“Maybe he felt uneasy about who he was going to give a tow to. I really don’t know. That was the last time that I saw Dale Williams.”
Dale found torn photos at his shop
Investigators also found out that Dale’s friend, Pastor Tom Ross, and his son, had stopped by the body shop late that morning. Tom told the police that Dale received distress call while he was there:
“It was getting close to the noon hour and he said, ‘I’m real busy today, got a full shop.’ ‘But,’ he said, ‘I got time for one game of darts if you want to, if you got time.’ I said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ And a phone call came in. They said they were broken down about three-quarters of a mile east of the Bedrock Colorado Store, just a little country store.”
Dale’s shop did auto body repair. He wasn’t a mechanic. Tom Ross thinks it was strange for him to receive a call for roadside help:
“I did feel it was odd that they called Dale for assistance. But, at the same time, Dale was willing to go and help somebody if they were broken down. We said our good-byes at the shop door. That’s the last time I ever saw Dale.”
Who was the mysterious stranded motorist?
Dale’s friends and family printed missing posters and put them up all over town. Dale’s wife, Diana, explains the strange events that followed:
“We had missing posters up. And I’d noticed, I put some in the post office and about two days later they were all gone. So I put some more in there and in two or three days, they’d disappear.”
A surveillance camera hidden by police captured a photo of the man who tore down the flyers. He was a former friend of Dale and Diana Williams. Lt. Greg Hiler of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Department:
“The individual depicted in the photographs was questioned and he denied any involvement in Dale’s disappearance. He also was able to explain, to give us an alibi, for the 27th of May 1999. For the most part, that alibi is consistent and has been confirmed.”
Twelve months before Dale vanished, he and Diana had helped move the man’s ex-wife to another state without his knowledge. Diana thinks this was the basis for a motive:
“He was angry at Dale for helping his ex-wife move. And then we wouldn’t tell him where she was or anything like that. And I feel like he was really angry with Dale for that.”
A month after the move, Diana said that Dale found some disturbing items outside his shop:
“He went to work and he noticed some pictures torn up there. Just lying all over the ground.”
The torn photographs had been stolen from his shop. They were pictures of Dale and Diana with their now divorced friends. Several .22-caliber rounds were scattered on the ground. A few days later, Diana made a strange discovery in the drop box at the video store she managed: a .22 caliber revolver. The gun — like the torn photos — had been stolen from Dale’s shop:
“I was really nervous ’cause I didn’t know what to think. And Dale just told me to not worry about it, things would be okay and things will settle down. Whatever happened, it was more to scare him, he felt like, than anything.”
Latest news on the case: they dropped charges against the suspect because they thought it wasn’t a strong enough case. They have the opportunity to bring charges again if they gain more evidence. That has got to be very disappointing for the family, but they need a case they can win.
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LauraJune 17, 2025 at 10:41 am
So very sad .. thats horrible this story gave me the creeps . I hope the killer is found out and brought to justice.. Im pretty sure the poor man didnt just disappear.. so very sad..
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KateSeptember 11, 2026 at 2:45 pm
I believe it’s obvious that bishop did it. And let’s not forget that he is the one that was taking down the missing posters. It’s soooooo obvious.i wish the cousin would tell the truth. Maybe if they offered immunity or offered a reward.
Arrest has been made in the case after 25 years. Suspect has been arrested for the murder of Dale.
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StacyOctober 18, 2024 at 10:44 pm
An arrest was made yesterday. Finally.
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BRCOctober 18, 2024 at 10:21 pm
This case was just solved and an arrest has been made in Montrose Colorado
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TomOctober 18, 2024 at 3:44 pm
They just arrested the main suspect. There was some information in the article about his arrest I had not heard before. I hope this offers some relief to his family.
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Girl_FridayOctober 18, 2024 at 1:57 pm
There has finally been an arrest in this case. James Daniel Bishop was arrested 10/14/24. I sincerely hope this will help bring closure to the family after all this time.
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JackOctober 18, 2024 at 8:57 am
Finally, I believe the Williams family will be getting some answers. On October 17, 2024 there was a arrest made in the disappearance of Dale Williams. His name is Dan Bishop. I believe he is the “former” friend mentioned in the Unsolved Mysteries segment.
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Suspect ArrestedOctober 17, 2024 at 10:56 pm
Here’s the release from the Monstrose County Sheriff’s Office:
Arrest Made in Cold Case After 25 Years of Tireless Investigation
Montrose, COLO.— On May 27, 1999, Mr. Dale Williams was reported as a missing person to the Nucla Marshal’s Office. The investigation was then assumed by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office on July 4, 1999, which was the same day that Mr. Williams’ truck was found fully submerged in the muddy waters at the confluence of the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers.
Since that date, numerous law enforcement agencies including the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been involved in this investigation.
“There have been countless interviews and hundreds of hours of investigation poured into this case. It has taken an entire team effort of law enforcement, family and concerned citizens to bring the case to where it is at today. We are grateful for the in-depth investigation over the last 25 years by the Agents of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Investigators and Deputies of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office,” said Montrose County Sheriff Gene R. Lillard.
On October 14, 2024 an arrest warrant affidavit was written by Agent Brandon Ludwig of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and later reviewed and signed by the Honorable Montrose County Court Judge Laura Harvell.
Bail was set at $1,000,000.00 cash-only for the arrest of James Daniel Bishop for Murder in the First Degree in violation of C.R.S 18-3-102 (1)(a) as amended a Class 1 Felony.
On Oct. 17, 2024, James Daniel Bishop was arrested by Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Chuck Searcy, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in Naturita, Colo., without incident.
The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to the investigators, the community, and the Williams family for their tireless efforts to begin the closure process for a case that has affected us all.
Montrose County Sheriff Gene R. Lillard
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Suspect ArrestedOctober 17, 2024 at 10:52 pm
A suspect was arrested today in Naturita, Colorado regarding this case. It sounds like the man whose wife left him with the help of Dale and Diana.
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Bill BlaskiOctober 17, 2024 at 2:54 pm
It’s been solved! It was the man taking down the posters. Bishop
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J.D.October 17, 2024 at 12:35 pm
68 year old Dan Bishop has been arrested and charged with murdering Williams. His motive was Williams and his wife had helped Bishop’s wife escape from him.
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JonathanFebruary 23, 2024 at 10:46 pm
He was probably robbed ,hit over the head and has amnesia. Someone out there had to have seen him because I just don’t believe he is dead . Why his truck ended up in the lake is beyond me but I don’t think he had anything to do with that either
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KateOctober 17, 2024 at 12:33 pm
The guy was arrested today in Nucla Colorado! He’s being held on a 1 million dollar bail. JAMES BISHOP IS THE ACCUSED
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BrianJuly 17, 2023 at 11:51 am
Can’t they have the ‘ Former family friend’ who took his missing Person pictures take a lie detector test to see IF he had any involvement in his missing appearance ????
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AnonymousMay 17, 2023 at 9:41 pm
That county is 5th in the state for reporting bear to human encounters. Anytime you find articles scattered it is usually a bear attack. I read an entire book on bear attacks. And everything the books teach about bears is not accurate. That is why I read on the real stories of them. It was the 4th of July. The bears were already upbeat from the fireworks sounding like gunshots. So a struggle in the dark happened with tools going everywhere. Why would someone struggle like that if the car was crashed by someone else? I mean the bears felt threatened. They have been hearing fireworks all night. Then a large truck crashed. Then someone comes through the woods with tools on his back like a riffle. Bears unfortunately are not intelligent like humans. The truck crashed very hard. I don’t think it was staged. There was a question on why the window was open. A door will not open unless the water inside is equal to the water outside. The water outside will push against it. So a window was his only way out unless he waited for the car to fill up.
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IdkJuly 28, 2022 at 7:04 am
SOLVE IT,Is their any updates???
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IdkJuly 28, 2022 at 7:03 am
SOLVE IT,any updates!!!!
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Austin PowersMay 25, 2022 at 6:21 pm
This should be solved by now!
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Jessie JamesJune 24, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Yes in deed there’s something strange here ! I think someone was just let off the hook !
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AnonymousMay 17, 2023 at 9:45 pm
The soap opera was very distracting. It even had me fooled at first. I had to watch the episode a second time with a fresh look to figure it out.
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Jack meofferOctober 27, 2021 at 9:29 am
Thanks for clearing that up Greg!
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JackOctober 9, 2021 at 9:59 am
I would like to start that I have been following this case since it first aired. I have noticed thru the years on this site that there are some people who keep getting confused about one thing. The Lt. in this article is not the man on camera tearing down the posters in the post office. The paragraph talks about someone going into the post office and tearing down the posters, they put a camera in there and they find out the man is a old friend of Dale and Diana Williams. Then the next sentence says Lt. Greg Hiler of the Montrose County Sheriff’s office talks about identifying the man and looking into his alibi and “for the most part” his alibi was confirmed. Lt. Greg Hiler is not the man that took down the posters!
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shawnnaOctober 19, 2022 at 12:15 am
I feel The family friend who is taking down the posters was the one who did it he was angry about them taking his ex-wife out of town it explains the anger he had of the photos being torn up he’s the only one close enough to know where their gun was in their shop and how to get into their shop. as far as the alibi the person is lying for him they are afraid or helping him.
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AnonOctober 18, 2024 at 6:30 pm
Looks like you somewhat have solved this case lol. Just came to light a few days ago Dale Williams killed him.
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JackOctober 8, 2021 at 12:16 pm
Please everyone read the article again. I am not trying to rude, just want to clear it up. It didn’t say the suspect was a police Lt. It talks about the police putting a surveillance camera in the post office, then it continues as saying the camera showed it was a old friend of Dale and Diana Williams. That sentence ends with a period. Then it talks about Lt .Greg Hiler of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office saying that the they investigated the friend and that for the most part his alibi was consistent. The Lt. is not the friend that got caught tearing down the posters.
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SNWOctober 8, 2021 at 12:13 pm
The cop isn’t involved. The cop was speaking on the man in the surveillance video. This case should be looked over. The ex-husband of the lady they relocated clearly has something to do with Dale’s disappearance.
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Laura DrinkwineOctober 5, 2021 at 1:22 pm
A lieutenant in the police department, whether he has a beef with Dale or not, would know taking down the posters is wrong on many levels. As a police officer, presumably NOT involved with the disappearance, I would think he should be in serious trouble for removing those posters.
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Erin CroweAugust 8, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Not to be negative but, if I understand this correctly, the man who took down the missing photos and was the ex husband of the woman you all moved was a Cop, right? I live in Mesa County and I know the cops, especially the ones a decade+ ago, where not always the good guys. I know Nucla isn’t Mesa County but I’m sure it’s the same there as it is everywhere on the Western Slope. I’d look into your cop friend, Lt Hiker. They say his Alibis held up but if the cops were just standing that blue line they would say that, wouldn’t they? Now that this case is getting older, the cops who would have felt loyal to Lt. Hiler are all probably retired, I’d have the newer cops take another look at it. Might find some holes in that alibi after all. Especially with this current climate and the tensions with the police force. The good ones are really trying to stand out right now. Solving a local cold case would be something they just might be interested in doing. Especially if it is good cops arresting bad cops. Yup, they just might be interested in that.
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Bill BlaskiJune 10, 2020 at 11:35 am
I do feel like this case would be solved today. I believe the phone they used to call dale was stolen. Now a days they would trace that phone and figure out who it belonged to. Where it got stolen from and who stole it. In my opinion the cell phone that called dale is the answer to his murder. Rip Dale
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Velia BecerraOctober 26, 2019 at 7:13 pm
On Wednesday 23rd. Of October,2019. I met a homeless man in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Sacramento,ca. He enter the Church and sat 5 benches to the left side of the isle while I was in line for confession.
I went to him and started a conversation he was soft spoken and mumbling. He told me he was morning the death of his mother. And in a few days was going to be his birthday. He wanted to write something and he did but I’m not able to understand his writing. What is understandable is: I miss Loirreay Jay crop. Something about Lisa and Alices. He call himself David.
To me he looks alike Dale Williams. He probably has some mental issues.
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johnyMay 29, 2019 at 8:14 am
Dale still hasn’t been found yet, This is just sad
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AnonymousMay 28, 2019 at 2:00 pm
When the ex-husband of the woman Dale and Diana helped move to another state, is caught on hidden surveillance removing the missing posters of Dale from the post office, that clearly shows that his anger towards Dale has not lessened over time. The fact that this man’s ex wife moved to another state, refusing to disclose her location to her ex, and obviously instructing Dale and Diana not to reveal her location says a lot!!! This was someone who obviously feared for her life if her ex discovered where she was living. Was this man ever given a polygraph, as to Dales disappearance? Or has he refused a polygraph? Just curious…
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CharlesMay 15, 2019 at 11:44 pm
Could it be something as simple as a disgruntled customer who had not paid him or felt like he had ripped them off and wanted their money or vehicle back. Maybe he was holding their vehicle for payment for his work and they killed him. Sometimes it can be simple, stupid reasons why a person would kill.
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Bill BlaskiApril 2, 2019 at 6:41 pm
Dales case needs a new set of eyes looking at it. It would be great to get rebroadcast on the new unsolved mysteries show.
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thinkingoutloudDecember 27, 2017 at 1:12 pm
maybe the man ripping down the fliers had something to do with his disappearance? maybe he had someone set up a fake distress call to Dale. Maybe Dale knew this person to be the friend of the husband and that is why he was feeling uneasy. Just because the man had an alibi doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. I think the police should’ve dug deeper into this guy. Seems shady to me
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KikaDecember 5, 2017 at 10:57 am
Does anybody know the status on the ex wife of said friend? Is she alive? Is she missing?
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Bill BlaskiOctober 3, 2017 at 8:24 am
So sad…any updates on Dale?
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JanMarch 18, 2018 at 8:21 pm
He’s still missing.
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AWSeptember 21, 2017 at 4:17 am
Just a note that his height / weight is incorrect – it should state 5’7, 170 pounds.
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Unsolved MysteriesSeptember 21, 2017 at 9:26 am
Thank you for bringing that to our attention; it has been fixed.
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AnonymousMay 22, 2017 at 4:46 am
Alwayssearching, I think it means the Lt. Was talking about the man tearing down the fliers, not that the man was actually the Lt.
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AnonymousMay 22, 2017 at 4:46 am
I agree,check out the man of the ex wife, but also check the phone records to determine if the call came from a cello phone, if so proceed from there.
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Brittany Howard November 13, 2015 at 3:40 pm
The call for the stranded motorist came from a stolen cell phone
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AmyMarch 19, 2018 at 2:59 am
99’ no cell phones yet…..
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AdamApril 7, 2018 at 6:37 am
Ummmm. There were lots of cell phones in 1999…
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CraigOctober 19, 2023 at 11:21 pm
It literally says in the Unsolved Mysteries episode that the distress call came from a stolen cell phone.
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BeccabooApril 12, 2017 at 12:01 am
I don’t know about this one. Something is off. Are there no other mechanics in his area? Or was it a customer and he gave him/her his details to call him if they got stranded? I think either it was the husband of the ex wife or the husband got people to carry out the job and kill Dale or he was involved in something that his wife or any one else knew about.
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AnonymousMay 17, 2023 at 9:56 pm
Not on the i70. Even today many trucking companies will not drive that way because if they break down it is hard to find repairs.
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AnonymousFebruary 5, 2017 at 4:09 am
Police need to look into Dale’s involvement into drug trafficking. Local police at the time had that suspicion.
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AnonymousApril 7, 2018 at 6:38 am
This is the problem with small town rumors. Just stop. It doesn’t help. It only impedes the investigation.
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Chanita jackson November 5, 2016 at 10:28 pm
I just don’t understand what had happened to dale Williams he seemed like he was a sweet man it’s not fair to his wife and his two daughters that they have to suffer somebody needs to bring justice to his wife and two daughters!
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namelessNovember 5, 2016 at 3:58 am
I need to start off by saying that I knew Dale and was remodeling his body shop at the time of his disappearance. I was involved in the initial search and continued to search for Dale for 7 years following. I would like to address the comment regarding Dale a known drug dealer? The answer is although he was associated with a person that was later convicted of possession with the intent to sell methamphetamine.There is no evidence that Dale was ever involved in drugs. Four days ago on 11/01/2016 human remains were found by hunters in the sawmill mesa area, not far from where Dales truck was recovered. I am praying that they may be those of Dales but after speaking with others involved in the recovery they are not convinced and are waiting for test results. For Dales friends and family lets hope that they may find peace and closure.
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AnonymousApril 7, 2018 at 6:40 am
Thank you, Nameless. Seems Anonymous didn’t get the memo.
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RtbOctober 18, 2016 at 3:49 am
I have told many people items l knew ,one being relation,another being an employee of Montrose County sheriffs department and have found it funny that nobody ever ontacted me about things l knew or have heard!
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SinirantJanuary 31, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Then contact the Montrose County sherrif’s department YOURSELF! Don’t sit around with information, go volunteer it yourself! His kids are desperate to know what happened to their dad! Why does someone have to come ask you? Grow a pair, and go report info to the CBI yourself. By anonymous tip or whatever!
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KnewHimMay 28, 2016 at 4:32 am
They forget to mention he was one of the local drug dealers. His body is in a mine shaft somewhere.
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blmJuly 16, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Now that statement is one that needs to be verified. Is there proof that he did deal in drugs? or just say so? Proof. Was/is there any? So you say he is in some shaft, again where is the proof? Hearsay? What did other druggies say about this? And yes, there were drugs in the area of John D. could not have been convicted because of his involvement with drugs. Someone needs to ask John D. what he knew, because he (John) was very affirmative about the fact he knew that Dale was dead. That was way to much info for me. Avoided John from then on.
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SinirantJanuary 31, 2020 at 5:11 pm
blm It’s time for you to come forward with the name if this ‘John Doe’ charactet you speak of. You can make an anonymous tip to the CBI if you don’t want to be known. Have a conscience. You obviously know something. Dale’s children deserve answers, now.
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SinirantJanuary 31, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Unless you yourself are somehow affiliated with drugs, how do you know that? And why should anyone trust what you say?
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TSMay 27, 2016 at 8:01 pm
I just now read all the comments. To give some information that was not in this article. There is no AAA in the area is is very small and when this happened there was literally very limited cell service and AAA did not go out there. Dale was a worker by himself he had a few friends who would help him at the shop but for the most part he worked by himself. The for the most part is the lt didn’t want to state it was for sure due to they didn’t have video or phone records to confirm he was where he said he was.
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Johnny January 26, 2016 at 6:52 am
This crime should never have happened. Dale should have brought another worker to the site with him as it was lunch hour. Williams own hesitancy with answering call to the stranded motorist proved to be right. Don’t understand why the perpetrators dumped the truck. It looked pretty new and could have cashed it out to somebody for sale. This case can be solved I think. Dale Williams was singled out definitely targeted. The stranded motorist could have called AAA or a number of other places to have a tow.
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MoeNovember 11, 2015 at 2:07 pm
Was this ex friend abusive to the ex wife? What was is reasoning for taking down the fliers? Did they ever get the phone records from customer who needed help
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Brittany Howard November 13, 2015 at 3:43 pm
They did get the phone records for the customer that called for assistance but the cell phone was a stolen cell phone.
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AlwaysSearching4AnswersJune 9, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Man goes missing after receiving call for assistance. Apparently he seemed to be in a rush and uneasy. Family prints missing persons flyers, some one pulls flyers down, person is caught on camera. Said person is a lieutenant with the Montrose County Sheriff s Department and his Alibi checks out… “FOR THE MOST PART”. Let’s not forget we are talking about a man.who had beef with the now missing auto body repairs man. I can’t be the only one that finds this slightly disturbing. I would also love to hear the excuse this Lt. has for taking down the missing person flyers. Also why would the Lt’s wife need help leaving him.
I hope that Dale Williams’ friends n family one day know peace and find closure.
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BluebirdJuly 3, 2015 at 11:47 pm
You need to reread the article. The person in question was not the lt. The lt. Is the man giving the statement below his name.. they do not mention the name of the friend in this article that is confidential except to those of the few who grew up there know who there talking about.
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Jack December 17, 2014 at 7:11 pm
What does “for the most part” mean. The former friend seems like a little guilty they need to do some further investigating into this man.
Latest news on the case: they dropped charges against the suspect because they thought it wasn’t a strong enough case. They have the opportunity to bring charges again if they gain more evidence. That has got to be very disappointing for the family, but they need a case they can win.
So very sad .. thats horrible this story gave me the creeps . I hope the killer is found out and brought to justice.. Im pretty sure the poor man didnt just disappear.. so very sad..
I believe it’s obvious that bishop did it. And let’s not forget that he is the one that was taking down the missing posters. It’s soooooo obvious.i wish the cousin would tell the truth. Maybe if they offered immunity or offered a reward.
They made an arrest in the case.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/western-slope-colorado-cold-case-homicide-arrest/73-b050dfe0-9cb8-4e0b-ac5f-a659523b17d7
Arrest has been made in the case after 25 years. Suspect has been arrested for the murder of Dale.
An arrest was made yesterday. Finally.
This case was just solved and an arrest has been made in Montrose Colorado
They just arrested the main suspect. There was some information in the article about his arrest I had not heard before. I hope this offers some relief to his family.
There has finally been an arrest in this case. James Daniel Bishop was arrested 10/14/24. I sincerely hope this will help bring closure to the family after all this time.
Finally, I believe the Williams family will be getting some answers. On October 17, 2024 there was a arrest made in the disappearance of Dale Williams. His name is Dan Bishop. I believe he is the “former” friend mentioned in the Unsolved Mysteries segment.
Here’s the release from the Monstrose County Sheriff’s Office:
Arrest Made in Cold Case After 25 Years of Tireless Investigation
Montrose, COLO.— On May 27, 1999, Mr. Dale Williams was reported as a missing person to the Nucla Marshal’s Office. The investigation was then assumed by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office on July 4, 1999, which was the same day that Mr. Williams’ truck was found fully submerged in the muddy waters at the confluence of the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers.
Since that date, numerous law enforcement agencies including the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been involved in this investigation.
“There have been countless interviews and hundreds of hours of investigation poured into this case. It has taken an entire team effort of law enforcement, family and concerned citizens to bring the case to where it is at today. We are grateful for the in-depth investigation over the last 25 years by the Agents of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Investigators and Deputies of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office,” said Montrose County Sheriff Gene R. Lillard.
On October 14, 2024 an arrest warrant affidavit was written by Agent Brandon Ludwig of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and later reviewed and signed by the Honorable Montrose County Court Judge Laura Harvell.
Bail was set at $1,000,000.00 cash-only for the arrest of James Daniel Bishop for Murder in the First Degree in violation of C.R.S 18-3-102 (1)(a) as amended a Class 1 Felony.
On Oct. 17, 2024, James Daniel Bishop was arrested by Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Chuck Searcy, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation in Naturita, Colo., without incident.
The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to the investigators, the community, and the Williams family for their tireless efforts to begin the closure process for a case that has affected us all.
Montrose County Sheriff Gene R. Lillard
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A suspect was arrested today in Naturita, Colorado regarding this case. It sounds like the man whose wife left him with the help of Dale and Diana.
It’s been solved! It was the man taking down the posters. Bishop
68 year old Dan Bishop has been arrested and charged with murdering Williams. His motive was Williams and his wife had helped Bishop’s wife escape from him.
He was probably robbed ,hit over the head and has amnesia. Someone out there had to have seen him because I just don’t believe he is dead . Why his truck ended up in the lake is beyond me but I don’t think he had anything to do with that either
The guy was arrested today in Nucla Colorado! He’s being held on a 1 million dollar bail. JAMES BISHOP IS THE ACCUSED
Can’t they have the ‘ Former family friend’ who took his missing Person pictures take a lie detector test to see IF he had any involvement in his missing appearance ????
That county is 5th in the state for reporting bear to human encounters. Anytime you find articles scattered it is usually a bear attack. I read an entire book on bear attacks. And everything the books teach about bears is not accurate. That is why I read on the real stories of them. It was the 4th of July. The bears were already upbeat from the fireworks sounding like gunshots. So a struggle in the dark happened with tools going everywhere. Why would someone struggle like that if the car was crashed by someone else? I mean the bears felt threatened. They have been hearing fireworks all night. Then a large truck crashed. Then someone comes through the woods with tools on his back like a riffle. Bears unfortunately are not intelligent like humans. The truck crashed very hard. I don’t think it was staged. There was a question on why the window was open. A door will not open unless the water inside is equal to the water outside. The water outside will push against it. So a window was his only way out unless he waited for the car to fill up.
SOLVE IT,Is their any updates???
SOLVE IT,any updates!!!!
This should be solved by now!
Yes in deed there’s something strange here ! I think someone was just let off the hook !
The soap opera was very distracting. It even had me fooled at first. I had to watch the episode a second time with a fresh look to figure it out.
Thanks for clearing that up Greg!
I would like to start that I have been following this case since it first aired. I have noticed thru the years on this site that there are some people who keep getting confused about one thing. The Lt. in this article is not the man on camera tearing down the posters in the post office. The paragraph talks about someone going into the post office and tearing down the posters, they put a camera in there and they find out the man is a old friend of Dale and Diana Williams. Then the next sentence says Lt. Greg Hiler of the Montrose County Sheriff’s office talks about identifying the man and looking into his alibi and “for the most part” his alibi was confirmed. Lt. Greg Hiler is not the man that took down the posters!
I feel The family friend who is taking down the posters was the one who did it he was angry about them taking his ex-wife out of town it explains the anger he had of the photos being torn up he’s the only one close enough to know where their gun was in their shop and how to get into their shop. as far as the alibi the person is lying for him they are afraid or helping him.
Looks like you somewhat have solved this case lol. Just came to light a few days ago Dale Williams killed him.
Please everyone read the article again. I am not trying to rude, just want to clear it up. It didn’t say the suspect was a police Lt. It talks about the police putting a surveillance camera in the post office, then it continues as saying the camera showed it was a old friend of Dale and Diana Williams. That sentence ends with a period. Then it talks about Lt .Greg Hiler of the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office saying that the they investigated the friend and that for the most part his alibi was consistent. The Lt. is not the friend that got caught tearing down the posters.
The cop isn’t involved. The cop was speaking on the man in the surveillance video. This case should be looked over. The ex-husband of the lady they relocated clearly has something to do with Dale’s disappearance.
A lieutenant in the police department, whether he has a beef with Dale or not, would know taking down the posters is wrong on many levels. As a police officer, presumably NOT involved with the disappearance, I would think he should be in serious trouble for removing those posters.
Not to be negative but, if I understand this correctly, the man who took down the missing photos and was the ex husband of the woman you all moved was a Cop, right? I live in Mesa County and I know the cops, especially the ones a decade+ ago, where not always the good guys. I know Nucla isn’t Mesa County but I’m sure it’s the same there as it is everywhere on the Western Slope. I’d look into your cop friend, Lt Hiker. They say his Alibis held up but if the cops were just standing that blue line they would say that, wouldn’t they? Now that this case is getting older, the cops who would have felt loyal to Lt. Hiler are all probably retired, I’d have the newer cops take another look at it. Might find some holes in that alibi after all. Especially with this current climate and the tensions with the police force. The good ones are really trying to stand out right now. Solving a local cold case would be something they just might be interested in doing. Especially if it is good cops arresting bad cops. Yup, they just might be interested in that.
I do feel like this case would be solved today. I believe the phone they used to call dale was stolen. Now a days they would trace that phone and figure out who it belonged to. Where it got stolen from and who stole it. In my opinion the cell phone that called dale is the answer to his murder. Rip Dale
On Wednesday 23rd. Of October,2019. I met a homeless man in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Sacramento,ca. He enter the Church and sat 5 benches to the left side of the isle while I was in line for confession.
I went to him and started a conversation he was soft spoken and mumbling. He told me he was morning the death of his mother. And in a few days was going to be his birthday. He wanted to write something and he did but I’m not able to understand his writing. What is understandable is: I miss Loirreay Jay crop. Something about Lisa and Alices. He call himself David.
To me he looks alike Dale Williams. He probably has some mental issues.
Dale still hasn’t been found yet, This is just sad
When the ex-husband of the woman Dale and Diana helped move to another state, is caught on hidden surveillance removing the missing posters of Dale from the post office, that clearly shows that his anger towards Dale has not lessened over time. The fact that this man’s ex wife moved to another state, refusing to disclose her location to her ex, and obviously instructing Dale and Diana not to reveal her location says a lot!!! This was someone who obviously feared for her life if her ex discovered where she was living. Was this man ever given a polygraph, as to Dales disappearance? Or has he refused a polygraph? Just curious…
Could it be something as simple as a disgruntled customer who had not paid him or felt like he had ripped them off and wanted their money or vehicle back. Maybe he was holding their vehicle for payment for his work and they killed him. Sometimes it can be simple, stupid reasons why a person would kill.
Dales case needs a new set of eyes looking at it. It would be great to get rebroadcast on the new unsolved mysteries show.
maybe the man ripping down the fliers had something to do with his disappearance? maybe he had someone set up a fake distress call to Dale. Maybe Dale knew this person to be the friend of the husband and that is why he was feeling uneasy. Just because the man had an alibi doesn’t mean he wasn’t involved. I think the police should’ve dug deeper into this guy. Seems shady to me
Does anybody know the status on the ex wife of said friend? Is she alive? Is she missing?
So sad…any updates on Dale?
He’s still missing.
Just a note that his height / weight is incorrect – it should state 5’7, 170 pounds.
Thank you for bringing that to our attention; it has been fixed.
Alwayssearching, I think it means the Lt. Was talking about the man tearing down the fliers, not that the man was actually the Lt.
I agree,check out the man of the ex wife, but also check the phone records to determine if the call came from a cello phone, if so proceed from there.
The call for the stranded motorist came from a stolen cell phone
99’ no cell phones yet…..
Ummmm. There were lots of cell phones in 1999…
It literally says in the Unsolved Mysteries episode that the distress call came from a stolen cell phone.
I don’t know about this one. Something is off. Are there no other mechanics in his area? Or was it a customer and he gave him/her his details to call him if they got stranded? I think either it was the husband of the ex wife or the husband got people to carry out the job and kill Dale or he was involved in something that his wife or any one else knew about.
Not on the i70. Even today many trucking companies will not drive that way because if they break down it is hard to find repairs.
Police need to look into Dale’s involvement into drug trafficking. Local police at the time had that suspicion.
This is the problem with small town rumors. Just stop. It doesn’t help. It only impedes the investigation.
I just don’t understand what had happened to dale Williams he seemed like he was a sweet man it’s not fair to his wife and his two daughters that they have to suffer somebody needs to bring justice to his wife and two daughters!
I need to start off by saying that I knew Dale and was remodeling his body shop at the time of his disappearance. I was involved in the initial search and continued to search for Dale for 7 years following. I would like to address the comment regarding Dale a known drug dealer? The answer is although he was associated with a person that was later convicted of possession with the intent to sell methamphetamine.There is no evidence that Dale was ever involved in drugs. Four days ago on 11/01/2016 human remains were found by hunters in the sawmill mesa area, not far from where Dales truck was recovered. I am praying that they may be those of Dales but after speaking with others involved in the recovery they are not convinced and are waiting for test results. For Dales friends and family lets hope that they may find peace and closure.
Thank you, Nameless. Seems Anonymous didn’t get the memo.
I have told many people items l knew ,one being relation,another being an employee of Montrose County sheriffs department and have found it funny that nobody ever ontacted me about things l knew or have heard!
Then contact the Montrose County sherrif’s department YOURSELF! Don’t sit around with information, go volunteer it yourself! His kids are desperate to know what happened to their dad! Why does someone have to come ask you? Grow a pair, and go report info to the CBI yourself. By anonymous tip or whatever!
They forget to mention he was one of the local drug dealers. His body is in a mine shaft somewhere.
Now that statement is one that needs to be verified. Is there proof that he did deal in drugs? or just say so? Proof. Was/is there any? So you say he is in some shaft, again where is the proof? Hearsay? What did other druggies say about this? And yes, there were drugs in the area of John D. could not have been convicted because of his involvement with drugs. Someone needs to ask John D. what he knew, because he (John) was very affirmative about the fact he knew that Dale was dead. That was way to much info for me. Avoided John from then on.
blm It’s time for you to come forward with the name if this ‘John Doe’ charactet you speak of. You can make an anonymous tip to the CBI if you don’t want to be known. Have a conscience. You obviously know something. Dale’s children deserve answers, now.
Unless you yourself are somehow affiliated with drugs, how do you know that? And why should anyone trust what you say?
I just now read all the comments. To give some information that was not in this article. There is no AAA in the area is is very small and when this happened there was literally very limited cell service and AAA did not go out there. Dale was a worker by himself he had a few friends who would help him at the shop but for the most part he worked by himself. The for the most part is the lt didn’t want to state it was for sure due to they didn’t have video or phone records to confirm he was where he said he was.
This crime should never have happened. Dale should have brought another worker to the site with him as it was lunch hour. Williams own hesitancy with answering call to the stranded motorist proved to be right. Don’t understand why the perpetrators dumped the truck. It looked pretty new and could have cashed it out to somebody for sale. This case can be solved I think. Dale Williams was singled out definitely targeted. The stranded motorist could have called AAA or a number of other places to have a tow.
Was this ex friend abusive to the ex wife? What was is reasoning for taking down the fliers? Did they ever get the phone records from customer who needed help
They did get the phone records for the customer that called for assistance but the cell phone was a stolen cell phone.
Man goes missing after receiving call for assistance. Apparently he seemed to be in a rush and uneasy. Family prints missing persons flyers, some one pulls flyers down, person is caught on camera. Said person is a lieutenant with the Montrose County Sheriff s Department and his Alibi checks out… “FOR THE MOST PART”. Let’s not forget we are talking about a man.who had beef with the now missing auto body repairs man. I can’t be the only one that finds this slightly disturbing. I would also love to hear the excuse this Lt. has for taking down the missing person flyers. Also why would the Lt’s wife need help leaving him.
I hope that Dale Williams’ friends n family one day know peace and find closure.
You need to reread the article. The person in question was not the lt. The lt. Is the man giving the statement below his name.. they do not mention the name of the friend in this article that is confidential except to those of the few who grew up there know who there talking about.
What does “for the most part” mean. The former friend seems like a little guilty they need to do some further investigating into this man.