Skeletal remains discovered on a mountain in the United States have been identified as those of a British man who went missing six years ago.
The remains belong to John Gillies, who would have turned 69 this year. They were found near the Sweetwater Gap in Fremont County, Wyoming, on September 6, 2025. Experts believe he passed away in the Wind River Mountains in 2019.
Personal belongings of Gillies, a resident of Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, were instrumental in locating his ex-wife. She helped in confirming his identity by providing photos, medical records, and background information.
Upon receiving DNA samples from Gillies’ relatives, Interpol and Police Scotland made a significant breakthrough in forensic identification. A search operation, involving multiple teams, was initiated in the US four days after the discovery of the bones. A 14-member search team covered approximately 20 miles of challenging terrain.
As of December 28, about 85% of Gillies’ skeletal remains had been recovered, with experts determining they had been there for six years. Following forensic analysis, the samples and remains were sent to the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory in Cheyenne on February 11. Investigators recently confirmed the biological relation of the samples collected in Scotland.
This confirmation allowed authorities to definitively identify the remains as those of Gillies, with his family requesting their repatriation to Scotland. Sheriff K C Lehr commended the collaborative efforts across local, state, federal, and international agencies to provide closure to the family.
The case underscores the dedication and partnerships involved in bringing answers to families affected by such tragedies. Law enforcement expressed gratitude to all parties involved in the effort to bring John Gillies home.
