Finnish man missing in Uinta wilderness; police seek public’s help

Onni Ilmari Raassina of Finland has been missing for two weeks. The last trace of him was in the Uinta Mountains near Moon Lake, police said. Photo: Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office

DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah – Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a 29-year-old Finnish man who traveled to Utah earlier this month but has not been heard from in two weeks.

According to the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), Onni Ilmari Raassina arrived at Salt Lake City International Airport on March 5. Investigators believe he took a taxi and was dropped off near Moon Lake in Duchesne County—an area about 150 miles east of Salt Lake City.

“We just know his cellphone pinged up here, and we have no sign of him,” said DCSO Capt. John Crowley told Fox 13. “From what we’ve seen on the airport video, of the backpack he carried, he did not have the right equipment to be up in the Uintas.”

Raassina is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with blue eyes and short strawberry blonde hair.

Concerned for his safety, police said Raassina’s family traveled to Utah and searched for two weeks but found no trace of him. Authorities say they are still trying to understand why he traveled to Utah and why he ventured into the remote wilderness alone.

“I need the public’s help immensely,” said Crowley. “We have a gentleman who’s not from our country, the family doesn’t even know why he left or anything else. In 30 years of law enforcement, I’ve never had to deal with a gentleman who flew in from Finland to go hiking up there.”

The search efforts continue, and anyone with information about Raassina’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office at 435-738-1126 or email jcrowley@duchesne.utah.gov.