The disappearance and tragic murder of 19-year-old Dylan Rounds sent shockwaves through the close-knit farming community of Lucin, Utah. New evidence, including chilling body camera footage, reveals a sinister plot woven by a killer who brazenly participated in the search for his victim. This is the story of Dylan Rounds, the unsettling actions of his killer, and the tireless pursuit of justice by his family.
A Young Farmer Vanishes Without a Trace
Dylan Rounds, a dedicated young farmer, was last seen on May 28th, 2022, tending to his land near the borders of Idaho and Nevada. His sudden disappearance baffled those who knew him, leaving a void in the heart of a community that relied on his hard work and infectious spirit.
Dylan Rounds standing beside a truck on his farm.
The last contact Dylan had was a phone call with his grandmother, where he discussed routine farming plans. After that call, communication went silent. This sudden halt in Dylan’s usually consistent communication was the first red flag for his family.
Candace Cooley, Dylan’s mother, vividly remembers the confusion and fear that gripped her family as they grappled with his disappearance. “We had no clue. That’s the point of a disappearance, you can’t… if you know what’s going to lead up to a disappearance, it’s not going to happen,” she shared, her voice heavy with the weight of the unknown.
A Killer Hiding in Plain Sight
As days turned into nights, the search for Dylan intensified. Little did anyone know, the man responsible for Dylan’s disappearance was actively involved in the search efforts, playing the part of a concerned friend.
James Brenner, a man squatting in a trailer on Dylan’s property, became a constant presence in the search. Body camera footage from those early days shows Brenner confidently directing law enforcement and offering insights into Dylan’s possible whereabouts. Throughout these interactions, Brenner exhibits a chilling calmness, a stark contrast to the frantic worry of Dylan’s parents.
James Brenner standing with law enforcement during the search for Dylan Rounds.
Even in those early stages of the investigation, Dylan’s parents harbored suspicions about Brenner. “This Jim guy says that Dylan has been in town at the bar or whatever bragging about how much money he makes and this and that, but I talked to… it doesn’t really sound like my son,” Dylan’s father, Justin Rounds, confided to a deputy.
Their gut feeling was further fueled when a pair of Dylan’s boots were discovered near Brenner’s makeshift dwelling. “They weren’t old, they weren’t bad, they’re… I mean, old and worn out for Dylan would be basically his toes sticking through a hole,” Candace explained. The presence of the boots, too new to be discarded, struck a chord of unease. The discovery marked a turning point in the investigation, shifting the focus towards Brenner and his unsettling behavior.
A Cellmate’s Revelation and a Shocking Confession
Months later, a pivotal piece of the puzzle emerged from an unexpected source. James Profit, Brenner’s former cellmate, contacted authorities with a chilling account. Profit claimed Brenner had confessed to killing Dylan, driven by jealousy towards the young farmer’s success.
Profit revealed that Brenner had spoken about disposing of the body in a way that would make it difficult to recover. “I wouldn’t stop in the West Desert. I would look inside of a septic… a septic tank,” Profit urged investigators, his words echoing the chilling details shared by Brenner.
Adding to the mounting evidence against Brenner, investigators recovered a video from Dylan’s phone that offered a glimpse into the moments following the murder. The video showed Brenner with bloodstains on his clothing, casually cleaning a gun. Further testing revealed Dylan’s DNA on the shirt Brenner wore in the video, solidifying the case against him.
A Guilty Plea and the Long Road to Healing
After a year of legal proceedings and a plea deal that spared Dylan’s family the trauma of a trial, James Brenner pleaded guilty to murder. He was sentenced to a minimum of three years and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
While the sentence offers a sense of justice, it cannot erase the pain of losing Dylan. The Rounds family, however, is channeling their grief into a powerful legacy. They established Dylan’s Legacy Foundation, partnering with organizations like the Missing and Murdered Network, to assist other families navigating the agonizing ordeal of a missing loved one.
The story of Dylan Rounds serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, even in the most unsuspecting places. It also highlights the unwavering love of a family determined to honor their son’s memory by bringing solace and support to others enduring similar tragedies. The foundation stands as a testament to Dylan’s spirit, a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss.
