The remains of missing teenager Dylan Rounds have been found in Utah, two years after he disappeared.
Rounds, 19, was allegedly murdered by his neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teens’ farm in 2022.
On Tuesday, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said they recovered skeletal remains Monday that they believe belong to Rounds.
Brenner is charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body.
He led authorities to the location of her grave site Tuesday as part of a plea deal.
Rounds, 19, was allegedly murdered by his neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teens’ farm in 2022.
Brenner is charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body
The youth disappeared from the town of Lucin, in the state, over Memorial Day weekend in 2022.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office said: “On April 9, 2024, skeletal remains believed to belong to Dylan Rounds were found in the isolated area of Box Elder County, west of Lucin.
“The FBI assisted the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office by combing the area for evidence and recovering remains.
“The remains are in the possession of the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office for confirmation of identity.
“Our hearts go out to the family of Dylan Rounds. We offer our deepest condolences on the loss of their family member.
“We understand that the pain of their loss is immeasurable and we wish to express our deepest condolences to them. We hope that they can find peace in the future.
Candice Cooley, Round’s mother, told EastIdahoNews.com, “We thank everyone for their support and love. We are grateful to now have Dylan’s body and to be able to bring him home as we continue our fight for justice.
Rounds’ boots had been discovered near a mound of dirt and his phone was at the bottom of a pond near Brenner’s trailer.
On Tuesday, the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said they recovered skeletal remains Monday that they believe belong to Rounds.
The youth disappeared from the town of Lucin, in the state, over Memorial Day weekend in 2022.
After Brenner was charged with his murder, KUTV reported that bloodstains were found on his arms and shirt, which were believed to belong to Rounds.
Brenner has a violent criminal history and was arrested in June 2022 on outstanding arrest warrants.
The outlet reported that he had already been admitted to the Weber County Jail on federal charges.
According to a probable cause statement, Rounds’ last signal on his phone was sent to a Lucin Pond not far from where Brenner resided.
Brenner is not expected to go to trial until May 2024, according to The Sun – due to a scheduling issue with Brenner’s lawyer.
After Brenner was charged with his murder, KUTV reported that bloodstains were found on his arms and shirt, which were believed to belong to Rounds.
Prosecutors asked a judge in 2022 to keep Brenner in custody before trial, calling him a “serious risk” and citing his criminal history.