Human remains discovered in a remote area of Wyoming have been positively identified as John Gillies, a 63-year-old Scottish man who vanished while camping six years ago. The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) announced the identification on June 30, 2026, following a ten-month investigation that involved Interpol, Scottish law enforcement, and the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory.
Discovery and Investigation
Forest workers first spotted the remains near Sweetwater Gap in September 2025. Investigators recovered personal items belonging to Gillies at the scene, which led them to contact Saint Mary’s Church in Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire—Gillies’s hometown. DNA samples from living relatives in Scotland were compared with the remains, confirming the match.
Gillies’s ex-wife, who provided crucial assistance to the investigation, told authorities: “I wanted you to know he was more than bones.” Her cooperation was described by the SCSO as “invaluable” and a reminder that “every unidentified person is someone’s loved one.”
International Cooperation
Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr praised the cross-border collaboration: “This case is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and the strength of partnerships that extend well beyond our county and even our nation’s borders. What began as the discovery of remains in a remote area of Wyoming ultimately brought together local, state, federal, and international partners with one shared goal – to give a family answers.”
The SCSO confirmed that, at the family’s request, they are working with Interpol to return Gillies’s remains to Scotland for burial. “We are grateful to everyone who played a role in helping bring John home,” Lehr added.
Case Background
Gillies, originally from Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, disappeared while camping near Sweetwater Gap around 2020. The rugged terrain and remote location hampered initial search efforts. The identification brings closure to a case that spanned two countries and years of uncertainty.
