McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office Formally Closes Reopened 2013 Death Investigation
Farmer Staff Reports
The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its reinvestigation into the 2013 death of Duncan James Templer, officials announced Tuesday.
After an eleven-month review of the cold case, authorities confirmed that the original "undetermined" ruling regarding the cause and manner of death will remain unchanged.
The investigation was formally reopened on December 20, 2024, following a request from a member of Mr. Templer’s family.
The original case dates back to July 2013, when Templer, a 51-year-old truck driver, disappeared after his semi-truck was found abandoned at a scenic overlook approximately 22 miles south of Watford City.
Following an extensive search by ground and air, Templer’s remains were discovered by a hunter in September 2013, roughly three miles from his vehicle. At the time, the North Dakota Medical Examiner’s Office was unable to determine how he died, leading to a decade of unanswered questions for his relatives.
According to a statement released by Sheriff Matthew Johansen, the renewed effort involved a "comprehensive and methodical review" of all original case materials. This included police reports, records from assisting agencies, and documentation from the 2013 search efforts.
Detectives conducted a new round of interviews with Templer’s family, friends, and former co-workers. Law enforcement personnel who were involved in the initial 2013 response were also re-interviewed. The department noted that while some personal belongings and "newly discovered evidence" were located and added to the case file, the findings did not provide enough information to warrant a change in the legal determination of the death.
As part of the 2025 review, the Sheriff’s Office consulted a forensic anthropologist to evaluate the initial recovery of the remains. The expert's evaluation determined that the condition of the remains at the time of discovery was consistent with the expected effects of weather conditions and environmental exposure in the North Dakota Badlands over that specific timeframe.
The decision to close the case comes after nearly a year of additional field work and forensic auditing.
"After exhaustive review and follow-up, no new evidence or information was identified that altered the original conclusions," the Sheriff’s Office stated. "The original determination issued by the North Dakota Medical Examiner’s Office of 'undetermined' cause and manner of death remains unchanged."
The department expressed its appreciation for the family's patience during the process, stating that they hope the renewed investigative efforts provided necessary clarity.
Officials indicated that the investigation is now officially closed and no further information will be released.
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