A climber has found human remains while hiking in a Utahcanyon – but police say they are neither “recent or historic” and urgently need help identifying them.
Utah County deputies were alerted to the discovery at around 6:15pm on Saturday after a man stumbled on the skeletal remains “in a small canyon” as he was climbing a “very steep terrain” in the northeast of Springville.
The remote area is one canyon north of the Lime Kiln – a spot more commonly referred to as “Springville Rock Canyon.”
Investigators responded to the macabre discovery and a medical examiner confirmed the remains were human.
Utah County Sheriff’s Office said on X: “Investigators are seeking help identifying human remains found in the mountains east of Springville on 10/26/24.
“These remains do not appear to be recent, but they also do not appear to be historic.”
UCSO also revealed that after speaking with local law enforcement agencies, no one had any prominent leads believed to be connected with the remains.
They stressed that “very little is known about the remains that were found.”
Evidence found in the rough mountain area suggested that “there may be a reason people like to go there for recreation or fun,” police added.
The Spring Canyon area is not marked by official routes nor is it maintained by authorities, according to the National Park Service.
Obstacles inside the canyon and route conditions can change frequently due to weather prompting flash floods, rockfall, and other hazards, the NPS site reads.
All hikers are advised to be clued up in “route-finding, navigation, and map-reading skills” before heading out, it added.
Utah police are urging anyone to come forward if they hold any information that could lead to an identification of the skeleton discovery.
People should contact the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau and ask to speak to Detective Fuell or leave a voicemail for him on (801) 851 4010.
