Human bones discovered in a remote Wyoming mountain range have been positively identified as the remains of John Gillies, a 63-year-old camper from Kirkintilloch, Scotland, who went missing nearly six years ago. The Sublette County Sheriff's Office confirmed the identification on June 30, 2026, following an extensive international investigation.
Discovery and Investigation
The remains were found near Sweetwater Gap in Wyoming by forest workers in September 2025. Investigators later recovered personal belongings at the scene, including Mr Gillies' identification card. A coordinated secondary search was conducted on September 10, 2025, involving the Sublette County Sheriff's Office (SCSO), Sublette County Search and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service.
DNA samples collected from relatives in Scotland were compared with the remains, leading to a positive match. The Wyoming State Crime Laboratory confirmed that the remains were biologically related to family reference samples obtained in Scotland.
International Cooperation
The investigation spanned two countries and involved Interpol, Police Scotland, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement International Bureau, and the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory. A spokesperson for the SCSO said: “Following an approximately 10-month investigation, the SCSO has positively identified the remains as John Gillies. The investigation spanned two countries and included the assistance of Interpol, Scotland Law Enforcement and the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory.”
Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr added: “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.”
Family's Response
Investigators contacted Mr Gillies' family on June 30, 2026, to notify them of the identification. In a message to investigators, Mr Gillies' ex-wife wrote: “I wanted you to know he was more than bones.” The SCSO spokesperson 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.”
Next Steps
At the family's request, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office and the Sublette County Coroner's Office are working with Interpol to coordinate the return of Mr Gillies' remains to Scotland. It remains unclear whether Mr Gillies was reported missing by his family or how his remains came to be in the remote wilderness.
