The grandson of Forest Fenn announced on Monday, December 7, 2020 that his grandfather's famous treasure had been found. More than a decade ago, Fenn left a bronze chest buried somewhere in the outback of Wyoming - it contained about $2,000,000 worth of booty.
Fenn wrote a memoir of his life (including a spell as Air Force pilot and an art dealer) in 2010. His reason for self-publishing the tomb was because he was suffering from a kidney illness and did not expect to survive. He wanted other people to enjoy the experience of a quest. But survive he did.
In the book, he described where he hid his treasure in a 24-line poem. He claimed that everything anyone needed to find it was stipulated in the poem. Fenn lived to know his treasure was found.
On June 16,2020, Fenn released additional photos on the Thrill of the Chase (title of his memoir) blog site including himself examining the contents of the chest and one photo of it sitting in weathered condition implicitly on or near the site where it was found. Jack Stuef, a medical student from Michigan, revealed in December that he found Fenn's treasure chest and decided to disclose his identity by going public in an interview.
Forest Fenn passed on December 7, 2020. He became somewhat of a treasure hunt enthusiast after a diagnosis of cancer. His writings were fertile soil for the treasure finder in many people. But, there were positive and negative repercussions.
People who had a chance to read his blog and book lauded him for the excitement he created and the subsequent pleasure of the adventure. Other people were not so sanguine. A number of folks who tried and failed claimed the search for treasure was a hoax. Some claimed they had found the treasure but that others had stolen "their" directions. At least 2 people sued him for various reasons - the first law suit was thrown out of court. The second remains to be adjudicated.
At one point the New Mexico Police Chief begged Fenn to call off the hunt. He claimed it was not worth the tragedies and the rescue expenses that it incurred. But Fenn had said that the treasure was buried in a place that was not dangerous.
After considering requests to end the hunt, he decided not to. Encouraging people to the outdoors was more important to him. Besides, he looked at the 9 deaths occurring at the Grand Canyon every year and nobody called to close the park. He had calculated the risk and decided that there was no reason to spoil the majority's fun.
The treasure consisted of a bronze chest filled with gold, emeralds, diamonds, rubies and sapphires. Finn indicated in interviews that the gold was mainly eagles and indicated that there were silver ones in the box, too.
References: https://www.outsideonline.com/2419429/forrest-fenn-treasure-jack-stuef
https://www.koat.com/article/hidden-treasure-chest-worth-over-dollar1-million-dollars-is-found-in-rockymountains/32802433#:~:text=SANTA%20FE%2C%20N.M.%20%E2%80%94,at%20over%20%241%20million%20dollars.
https://www.npr.org/2016/03/13/469852983/seeking-adventure-and-gold-crack-this-poem-and-head-outdoors
