Wyoming: Skeletal remains found in US woodland identified as missing Scottish man

Skeletal remains discovered in a remote woodland in the US state of Wyoming last year have been identified as a missing man from Scotland.

The bones of John Gillies were found near Sweetwater Gap, a mountain pass within the Wind River Range of Fremont County, on 6 September 2025.

Experts believe Mr Gillies' body had been there for around six years before being recovered.

Sublette County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) said personal effects led officers to trace Mr Gillies' ex-wife.

She was said to have shared photographs, medical information and his life story in a bid to assist the investigators.

In one message, she wrote: "I wanted you to know he was more than bones."

In a post on social media, SCSO said: "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."

Mr Gillies would have been 69 this year. His skeletal remains were discovered by staff from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in a remote area near the Sweetwater Gap guard station.

A secondary search was carried out four days later, involving members of SCSO, Sublette County Search and Rescue, and the US Forest Service.

The 14-member crew covered about 20 miles of rugged terrain.

The probe led investigators to St Mary's Parish Church in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

Church officials assisted the authorities to locate Mr Gillies' surviving family and helped to facilitate and international death notification.

With the help of Interpol and Police Scotland, arrangements were made to obtain DNA samples from Mr Gillies' relatives.

On 28 December, an anthropologist estimated that the remains had been there for around six years.

After the forensic anthropology report was completed, the DNA samples and the skeletal remains were sent to the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory in Cheyenne on 11 February for comparison.

On Tuesday, investigators received confirmation that the remains were biologically related to the family reference samples collected in Scotland - which enabled experts to positively identify the bones as those belonging to Mr Gillies.

His family were notified that day.

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In a Facebook post on Thursday, SCSO paid tribute to all those who provided support throughout the international investigation - especially Mr Gillies' family for their "patience, trust, and assistance".

SCSO and Sublette County Coroner's Office are now working with Interpol to return his remains to Scotland so he can "finally be laid to rest at home".

Sheriff K C Lehr said: "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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Wyoming: Skeletal remains found in US woodland identified as missing Scottish man