New Netflix Docuseries Reveals The Hunt For Fenn’s Treasure And Its Aftermath

SANTA FE, N.M. — The thrilling saga of a treasure hunt that gripped the nation is now the subject of a new Netflix docuseries titled “Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn’s Treasure.” Premiering on March 27, this three-part series captures the rollercoaster journey sparked by Forrest Fenn, a Santa Fe art dealer who hid a chest filled with gold and jewels in the Rocky Mountains in 2010.

Fenn’s enigmatic challenge began when he published a poem containing nine clues to the treasure’s location, which was believed to be worth up to $2 million. Over the next decade, hundreds of thousands of adventurers ventured into perilous terrains in search of Fenn’s hidden bounty, fueled by the possibility of striking it rich and the hints provided by Fenn himself.

In June 2020, the treasure was reportedly discovered by Jack Stuef, a medical student from Michigan, who confirmed the find but withheld the exact location. This revelation also prompted a slew of conspiracy theories about the nature of the treasure hunt and Fenn’s involvement.

Justin Posey, one of the many treasure seekers featured in the docuseries, shared his decade-long experience of searching for the treasure and reflected on the emotional turmoil he faced when the treasure was found by another. “There’s certainly the full dynamic range of emotions, and I think that first summer after it had been found, I was feeling a little lost,” Posey said. “But it was a good opportunity to get back into some of the other pastimes I’ve had — mostly fly-fishing.”

Posey dedicated 780 days to the pursuit and even trained his dog to help sniff out bronze, which was the material of the treasure chest. His efforts were met with disappointment and questions when Stuef’s name emerged as the finder. “Everything that Rudy Greene did was astounding; I don’t know if it ever would have been found without him,” Posey stated, acknowledging the contributions of fellow treasure hunters.

The documentary dives deep into the personal stories of individuals who pursued the treasure and the impact it had on their lives. Director Jared McGilliard noted, “The journey is the adventure. It got people outside, changed their perspective on themselves and what they can accomplish.” However, the search also came with a darker side, as five individuals lost their lives in pursuit of the treasure, prompting officials to plead for Fenn to call off his hunt.

Posey, whose story continued beyond the original Fenn treasure hunt, announced in the final episode of the docuseries that he has initiated his own treasure hunt, modeled after Fenn’s, complete with puzzles and hidden clues. This new endeavor intends to foster the same spirit of adventure that captivated so many into the wilderness.

In an exclusive interview prior to the docuseries release, Posey expressed his excitement and apprehension about launching his own treasure hunt. “I felt like this was a case study to iterate on what Forrest did, to ensure it’s safer and with more built-in integrity, to make the ending much more palatable,” he said.

The ship sailing through the adventure and controversies surrounding Fenn and his hidden treasure continues, blending elements of excitement and uncertainty, which are paramount in captivating audiences in the latest Netflix docuseries.