NEWTON COUNTY, Arkansas — The body of 22‑year‑old Nicholas Collins was found Tuesday deep in the rugged terrain of the Ozark National Forest in Newton County, Arkansas, ending a harrowing multi‑state search that began more than two weeks ago. Officials confirmed there are no signs of criminal activity as authorities continue piecing together what happened in the final days of his life.
Collins vanished from his home in Garwin, Tama County, Iowa, on December 19, 2025. Family and friends reported him missing after a full ten days passed with no contact. The last known message he left was a short note telling loved ones he was “going away for awhile,” and that was the last time anyone heard from him.
Search efforts took a dramatic turn on January 1 when his white Mini Cooper was discovered parked at a trailhead in the Ozark National Forest in neighboring Johnson County, over 500 miles from his Iowa home. The car was missing its license plates, and no trace of Collins was found nearby at that time.
Authorities from both Iowa and Arkansas responded quickly, expanding the search into Newton County where thick woods and steep hills make rescue operations difficult. Teams including law enforcement, search and rescue volunteers, and Arkansas State Police used helicopters, cadaver dogs, and grid‑style foot patrols in an effort to locate Collins across thousands of acres.
Despite the high‑tech resources and tireless efforts, it wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon that officers found Collins’ remains in a remote part of the forest. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead on the ongoing investigation, but officials have been clear that there’s no indication of foul play at this time. That has provided some small comfort to a grieving family but has not answered the larger question of how he ended up so far from home.
In the days before his body was found, authorities scanned more than 1,200 acres and kept residents and online followers updated with periodic press releases. They also noted Collins had previous experience hiking long trails, which raised the possibility that he might have ventured into the wilderness on his own. His phone was reportedly switched off from the day he disappeared, and investigators have not released details about whether he had a plan or destination in Arkansas.
Friends, classmates, and community members shared worry online as the search stretched into a second week, many holding out hope that Collins might be found alive. In recent posts, loved ones recalled his outgoing personality and previous hiking adventures, even as they urged authorities to keep searching.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is expected to release more details as the investigation proceeds. Family members have asked for privacy while they mourn the loss of a young man whose intentions on that December day remain unclear.
