Ryker Webb miraculously survived two days in the Montana wilderness in June 2022. The preschooler was playing with the family dog when he vanished. A couple of days later, a family found him sheltering in a cabin nearly two miles from his home. 

Webb gained fame after a photo of his dehydrated, bruised, and fatigued demeanor went viral. Ryker was lost for two days, but he looked nothing like his usual self, underlining the unforgiving nature of the near-freezing temperatures he endured. 

“He was very, very scared,” Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short told Today. “He had a wide-eyed scared look until he got back to his mom and dad.”

Ryker is still alive after surviving two days in a predator-infested forest

Reports on Ryker Webb are scarce, but we suspect he’s alive and thriving. The authorities kept his parents’ identity secret, so it’s unclear whether the family still resides in Troy, Montana. 

Sheriff Short indicated that the authorities didn’t suspect foul play, but they would investigate why it took unusually long for his parents to report him missing. “We’re still looking into why he disappeared, and why he wasn’t being watched closely,” Sheriff Short said. 

Webb’s parents reported his disappearance two hours after discovering he’d vanished. The delay sparked internet theories claiming the parents planned the disappearance or they were irresponsible guardians. However, given Webb’s relief after meeting his parents, he likely shares a tight bond with them. 

Webb told Sheriff Short that he’d left the family property to go for a walk before getting exhausted. Webb likely took shelter in the cabin after the weather took a turn for the worse. Sheriff Short said:

“He was out there all by himself hearing the rain and wind, and not sure how he was going to be able to get home. I truly believe that he took cover in that shed from Friday evening until he was found on Sunday.”

The fact that Ryker Webb spent two days in a forest prowled by bears and mountain lions made his survival more remarkable. Despite lacking food, water, and sufficient warmth, Webb appeared healthy and was in good spirits.