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Contact: Ozark National Scenic Riverways, (573) 323-4814
VAN BUREN, Mo. – The National Park Service (NPS) Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Division announced today that on May 10, 2022, Dylan Hanger, age 30, of Mountain View, Missouri, pleaded guilty to Murder in the 2nd degree in U.S. District Court, in the Western District of Missouri, before the Honorable U.S. District Judge Mark Douglas Harpool.
According to court documents, on or about May 20, 2020, Hanger met his estranged wife Brittany Gorman at the Buck Hollow Access Area, along the Jacks Fork River, within Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Texas County. An argument ensued during which Hanger stabbed Gorman multiple times, resulting in her death.
A joint investigation was conducted by special agents of the NPS Investigative Services Branch, along with NPS law enforcement rangers, officers and investigators from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The investigation led to the recovery of Gorman’s remains and to Hanger’s subsequent arrest and indictment in federal court.
U.S District Judge Harpool ordered a pre-sentencing investigation by the U.S. Probation Office and Hanger to be held by the U.S. Marshals Service until sentencing. Hanger will be sentenced at a future date. The maximum penalty for 2nd degree Murder, under the United States Code, is up to life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
“While nothing can bring Brittany back, we hope this plea provides closure to the Gorman family” stated Lindel Gregory, Chief Law Enforcement Ranger. “We would like to thank our investigative partners for all of their efforts, especially the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas County Prosecuting Attorney.” The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine Stockard.
The mission of NPS law enforcement rangers and special agents is the prevention, detection and investigation of criminal activity to fulfill the agency’s congressional mission and mandate to administer areas under their care in such manner that they are free of criminal activities. Anyone witnessing criminal or suspicious activity within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways is encouraged to notify law enforcement by contacting the NPS regional dispatch center toll free at 844-460-3604.
The public is also encouraged to visit the ISB on the web at www.nps.gov/isb, or report criminal activity in any National Park, by calling the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar. Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: November 8, 2022