Bones found in American woodland identified as remains of Scot who vanished

Human remains found in a woodland in America have been identified as a Scottish man who went missing around six years ago.

The bones of John Gillies were discovered in a remote area near Sweetwater Gap in Fremont County, Wyoming, in September last year.

The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office positively identified the remains as those of the Scot, who would have been 69 this year, after a ten-month investigation.

The investigation spanned two countries and included assistance from Interpol, Police Scotland, and the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory.

The bones of John Gillies were discovered near Sweetwater Gap in Fremont County, Wyoming. Sublette County Sheriff's Office

On September 6 last year, Wyoming Game and Fish personnel discovered scattered human skeletal remains in a remote area near the Sweetwater Gap Guard Station.

Due to the condition and location of the remains, a coordinated secondary search was conducted four days later, spanning approximately 20 miles of rugged terrain.

On December 28, an anthropologist estimated that 85% of the skeletal remains had been recovered, and they had been there for around six years.

Investigators located personal effects at the scene, including information that ultimately led them to John Gillies.

On September 16, investigators contacted his ex-wife as no other next of kin was available in the United States.

She shared photographs and details and, in one message to investigators, said: “I wanted you to know he was more than bones.”

The county’s office noted: “Her compassion and willingness to assist provided invaluable insight during the investigation and served as a powerful reminder that every unidentified person is someone’s loved one.”

Investigators contacted Saint Mary’s Church in Kirkintilloch to help locate Mr Gillies’ surviving family and facilitate an international death notification. DNA reference samples were then gathered from living relatives.

Last week, investigators received confirmation from the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory that the remains were biologically related to both family reference samples collected in Scotland.

On June 30, his family was notified after nearly a year of investigation.

At the family’s request, the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and the Sublette County Coroner’s Office are now working with Interpol to coordinate the return of Gillie’s remains to Scotland so he may finally be laid to rest at home.

Sheriff K.C. Lehr stated: “This case is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and the strength of partnerships that extend well beyond our county and even our nation’s borders.

“What began as the discovery of unidentified remains in a remote area of Wyoming ultimately brought together local, state, federal, and international partners with one shared goal – to give a family answers. We are grateful to everyone who played a role in helping bring John home.”

Sheriff Lehr added: “The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Sublette County Search and Rescue, the U.S. Forest Service, the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory, Interpol, Police Scotland, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement International Bureau, Saint Mary’s Church in Kirkintilloch, and especially Gillie’s family for their patience, trust, and assistance throughout this investigation.”