The Washakie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating human remains discovered on March 23, 2025, by a Wyoming Game and Fish warden, Cowboy State Daily reports.
The warden was tracking a deer collar in a remote area of the county when he came across the remains.
According to Washakie County Sheriff Austin Brookwell, no further details will be released until authorities identify the remains and notify the family. Washakie County Coroner Jeff Lapp confirmed that the remains are skeletal, and it is unclear at this time whether they belong to a male or female. Lapp stated that he will be working with a dentist to compare dental records in an attempt to make an identification.
Assisting in the recovery were members of the Washakie County Search and Rescue team and a Bureau of Land Management ranger.
At this time, it is unknown whether the remains belong to anyone on the current missing persons list in the area.
According to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), Breanna Mitchell is the only officially reported missing person in Washakie County.
Mitchell, a 28-year-old woman from Worland, disappeared in July 2023. Her abandoned car was found stuck on a rugged trail near Nowater Trail, prompting extensive search efforts, including the use of helicopters and search dogs. A boot and shirt believed to belong to her were found near the vehicle, along with barefoot footprints.
Another missing person, Kyle Ellis of Sheridan, was last seen in the region, though he is officially reported missing out of Sheridan County. Ellis was reportedly dropped off at a Greybull gas station, 38 miles from Worland, but there was no surveillance footage to confirm his presence, and he did not have a cell phone or debit card to track his movements.
Authorities have not confirmed any link between these cases and the newly discovered remains.
The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
