Skeletal remains of Utah farmer, 19, are found in remote area TWO YEARS after he vanished from his land – as ‘squatter’ suspect leads cops to makeshift burial site
The remains of missing teenager Dylan Rounds have been found in Utah, two years after he vanished.
Rounds, 19, was allegedly murdered by his neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teenagers farm in 2022.
On Tuesday, Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said that on Monday they recovered skeletal remains 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 his burial site on Tuesday as part of a plea agreement.
Rounds, 19, was allegedly murdered by his neighbor James Brenner, 60, who was squatting on land near the teenagers farm in 2022
Brenner is charged with aggravated murder and abuse or desecration of a human body
The youngster 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 presumed to belong to Dylan Rounds were recovered in the remote western Box Elder County area of Lucin.
‘The FBI assisted the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office by processing the area for evidence and recovering the remains.
‘The remains are in the possession of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for confirmation of identity.
‘Our hearts go out to the family of Dylan Rounds. We offer our sincerest condolences for the loss of their family member.
‘We understand that the pain of their loss is immeasurable, and we want to express our deepest sympathies to them. It is our hope that they can find peace moving forward.’
Candice Cooley, Round’s mother, told EastIdahoNews.com: ‘We thank everyone for their support and love. We are grateful we now have Dylan’s body and can bring him home as we continue our fight for justice.’
Rounds’ boots had been discovered near a dirt mound and his phone was at the bottom of a pond near Brenner’s trailer.
On Tuesday, Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office said that on Monday they recovered skeletal remains that they believe belong to Rounds
The youngster 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 blood stains were found on his arms and shirt, which is said to belong to Rounds
Brenner has a violent criminal history and was arrested in June 2022 on outstanding warrants.
The outlet reported that he had previously booked into the Weber County Jail on federal charges.
According to a probable cause statement, Rounds’ last signal to his phone was pinged to a Lucin pond not far from where Brenner was staying.
Brenner is not set to go on trial until May 2024, according to The Sun – due to a scheduling issue with Brenner’s attorney.
After Brenner was charged with his murder, KUTV reported that blood stains were found on his arms and shirt, which is said to belong to Rounds.
Prosecutors asked a judge in 2022 to keep Brenner in custody before trial, labeling him a ‘serious risk’ and cited his previous criminal history.
