Skeletal remains discovered on an American mountain have been positively identified as those of a British man who went missing six years ago. The remains belong to John Gillies, who would have turned 69 this year, and were found near the Sweetwater Gap in Fremont County, Wyoming on September 6, 2025. Experts believe Gillies passed away in the Wind River Mountains sometime in 2019.
Personal belongings of Gillies, originally from Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, were instrumental in locating his ex-wife, who provided crucial information for his identification. With the help of photos, medical records, and background details, the ex-wife assisted in confirming his identity.
Following the discovery of the remains, a search operation involving multiple teams was launched in the US four days later. The search efforts covered approximately 20 miles of challenging terrain, as reported by BBC News. By December 28, around 85% of Gillies’ skeletal remains had been recovered, with experts determining that the remains had been undisturbed for six years.
Forensic analysis was completed, and samples along with the skeletal remains were sent to the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory in Cheyenne on February 11. Subsequent comparisons confirmed a biological relationship between the samples collected in Scotland and those from the remains. The confirmation led to the positive identification of the remains as John Gillies, prompting his family to request repatriation of his remains to Scotland.
Sheriff K C Lehr expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of all involved in bringing closure to the case, emphasizing the importance of partnerships at local, state, federal, and international levels in resolving the mystery surrounding the unidentified remains. The collective goal was to provide answers to the family, and ultimately, to bring John home.
