WEBER COUNTY, Utah — The powerful flow of the Weber River holds more than water—it holds memories, grief, and, for one Utah family, a journey toward healing.
On May 1, 2023, 28-year-old Libby Stimpson disappeared while walking her dogs near the banks of the Weber River. Witnesses reported hearing desperate screams coming from the water that day, prompting an urgent response from emergency crews. Despite their swift arrival, Libby had already been swept away by the fast-moving current.
“It used to bring a lot of pain,” said Mattie Heiner, Libby’s older sister. “But now, when I look at the river, I feel peace. It’s like she’s part of it.”
The rescue operation was massive. Weber County officials and volunteers spent over 3,500 hours searching—mapping out probable zones, combing the riverbank, and probing the riverbed using sonar technology. Community members even took turns keeping watch along the river in hopes of finding any clue that could bring Libby home.
Libby’s best friend, Kenzie Norton, recalled the moment she learned of the incident. “When I got that phone call, I just knew it wasn’t going to be okay,” she said.
Despite months of extensive efforts, Libby was never found. As temperatures dropped and safety concerns grew, the official search was suspended in October 2023. For Libby’s family and friends, the end of the search came with a complicated mix of emotions—sadness, frustration, and a slow acceptance.
“We didn’t get the closure we wanted,” said Mattie. “But we had to come to terms with it. We had to accept that the river is her resting place.”
The area where search crews once stood is now quiet. The bridge where volunteers gathered remains a place of reflection—where love lingers in the air and the current carries whispers of a life lost too soon.
For those closest to Libby, her absence remains an open wound, but her spirit lives on in stories, memories, and the rushing water of the Weber.
“If you’re ever by the river,” Kenzie said, “just think of Libby. She was light and laughter, and she’s still here in some way.”
The Weber County Sheriff’s Office has kept the case open. Anyone with information is urged to contact Weber dispatch at 801-395-8221.
