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Investigation into unidentified remains continues 2 months after hikers found body off I-70 in Summit County

The Summit County Coroner's Office has released this composite sketch of an unidentified man found dead near Officers Gulch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
Summit County Coroner’s Office/Courtesy illustration

Law enforcement are continuing to investigate more than two months after hikers discovered the body of an unidentified man near Officer’s Gulch off Interstate 70, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

The Summit County Coroner’s Office released a composite sketch of the unidentified man about a week after hikers found his decomposing body on Oct. 4 near Officer’s Gulch, a popular area for rock climbing. 

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said at the time the body was discovered that a preliminary investigation found no increased risk to the public.



The Summit County Sheriff’s Office public affairs Sgt. Michael Schilling said last week that the investigation remains open and active and that the Sheriff’s Office intends to follow every lead, “which takes considerable time and resources.”

Schilling said the Sheriff’s Office has interviewed numerous witnesses, reviewed hours of video evidence and is working closely with the Summit County Coroner’s Office and other partners to bring a resolution to the case.



“I certainly understand and appreciate the community’s ongoing interest in this case,” Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said in a statement. “Out of respect for the deceased and to protect the investigation’s integrity I can share no further details at this time.”

The unidentified man is about 40-50 years old and possibly of South American or Central American descent, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement officials have said the man was 5 feet and 2 inches tall, weighed roughly 120-130 pounds and had black- and gray-colored hair with a receding hairline.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a body discovered near Officer’s Gulch on Friday, Oct. 4 and has released a diagram of the man’s teeth as identifying marks.
Summit County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy illustration

The Sheriff’s Office in October released a diagram of the approximate location of the man’s two silver- or metallic-covered upper teeth.

The Summit County Sheriff’s Office has requested that anyone with information related to the unidentified man contact Detective Matt Sanders at 970-423-8919 or dispatch at 970-668-8600 and ask to speak to a deputy.

The Summit County Coroner’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing case.


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