Adam "AJ" Jay Hughes

Two-month search for Teen ends in tragedy - Adam Hughes found dead near Glendo

Funeral services for Adam Jay "AJ" Hughes, 19, of Glendo were held Tuesday, Aug. 30 in Douglas.

Hughes, son of Sheri Butler of Cheyenne and Harvey D. Hughes of Glendo, died July 1, 1988 on a ranch southwest of Glendo of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Missing since an accident 15 miles west of Lusk on U.S. Highway 18-20 early the morning of June 30th, Hughes' body was found Thursday morning.

The Niobrara County Sheriff's Office was contacted Thursday by Platte County authorities who said a pickup matching the description of one Hughes was last seen driving, had been discovered southwest of the John Daly ranch, approximately eight to 10 miles southwest of Glendo.

County Sheriff Samuel "Bebe" Reed said Hughes' body was found about 30 feet from the pickup in a heavily wooded area. His .270 calibre rifle was found near the body and a brief note was left on the seat of the pickup, Reed said.

Hughes' billfold and checkbook were found on the body but the Wyoming Crime Lab was called in to make positive identification and assist with the investigation.

Sheriff Reed said a Glendo teen was driving on the Daly ranch early Thursday morning planning to cut firewood when he saw a rear corner of the pickup in a wooded area. The youth, Calvin Hytrek of Glendo, said he came across a cattle chute laying on the side of a heavily rutted portion of the trail and further down the road discovered a small supply box filled with vet supplies.

Upon seeing what he thought might be the pickup Hughes was driving, Hytrek returned to the Daly ranch and called the Platte County Sheriff's Office who in turn notified Niobrara County authorities.

Hughes had not been seen or heard from since the accident which occurred between 3 and 3:30 a.m. June 30. He was apparently westbound on U.S. 18-30 when he struck a 1979 Plymouth station wagon setting on the shoulder. The car was owned by Andy Newcomb of Lusk who had left it there a few hours earlier when it became overheated and would not restart.

Hughes' 1974 Ford pickup, which was also extensively damaged in the accident, was left on the scene. He then apparently walked one to two miles to his grandparents' place, Murray and Velma Butler of Keeline, and borrowed their 1978 Ford pickup.

Sheriff Reed said the Hughes saw the pickup leaving their ranch about 4:15 a.m. that morning and initially thought someone was stealing it. Reed said Hughes, a certified mechanic, owned several hundred dollars worth of tools that have not been found. Reed said the tools were thought to have been in the back of Hughes' pickup and may have been stolen shortly after the accident occurred.

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