Adventurer who discovered hidden treasure unmasked
The mysterious treasure hunter who unearthed a bronze chest hidden deep in the Rocky Mountains – valued at more than $1 million – has finally revealed himself.
The man who found the chest, which was buried in 2010 by eccentric antiques dealer Forrest Fenn, is a former journalist turned medical student turned treasure hunter.
Jack Stuef announced in a Medium post that he is the person who claimed the bronze chest – brimming with gold, precious jewels, diamonds and other artefacts. He found it in June after tracking the treasure’s whereabouts for two years as he studied clues in a poem in Fenn’s memoir, The Thrill of the Chase.
Fenn, who died in September, hid the chest hoping to draw brave souls with a lust for adventure to the great outdoors. And it did. The hunt galvanised roughly 350,000 voyagers to seek the treasure. Many people left behind their jobs and spent their life savings on the quest, and at least four people died along the treacherous traverse through the Rocky Mountains.
Stuef said he wanted to remain anonymous when he found the bounty, and Fenn respected his wishes. But three months later, Fenn died. He was 90.
Shortly after Fenn’s death, the Medium post A Remembrance of Forrest Fenn was published by an anonymous author claiming to be the adventurer who beat out all the others for the treasure.
On December 7, the byline of the article – which was originally displayed as ‘‘The Finder’’ – suddenly switched to ‘‘Jack Stuef’’. Jonathan ‘‘Jack’’ Stuef, a 32-yearold medical school student from Michigan, declared himself the victor of the hunt.
Shiloh Forrest Old, Fenn’s grandson, confirmed Stuef as the rightful finder of the treasure. He went on to explain the rationale behind the unexpected unveiling of Stuef’s identity: ‘‘As a result of a Federal Court order, we will be required by law to provide Jack’s name and contact information.’’
The federal lawsuit against the Fenn family is indeed what prompted Stuef to come forward.
The legal case in question was instigated by a fellow treasure hunter who contends that Stuef hacked her texts and emails to steal her search plan. Stuef denied the allegations.
Stuef added that the treasure is in a vault in New Mexico, where it will stay until he sells it. – Wash