On Monday, May 29th, at approximately 2:30 pm, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office received a report that human remains had been discovered in the Mount Dutton area approximately five miles from Dry Hallow in Garfield County. The reporting party was able to direct deputies from Garfield County and other first responders to the discovery location, where what appeared to be the body of an adult male was found in a state of decomposition after succumbing to the elements. A medical examiner was among the first responders, and after determining the death was of natural causes, coordinated to have the remains delivered to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) in Taylorsville, Utah, for further identification. After an autopsy comparing the dental records provided by Mapleton Police Department, the OME determined the remains to be that of Austin Madsen, who was reported missing earlier this year.
On January 29th, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office began an extensive search and rescue operation based out of the Dry Hallow area on Mount Dutton, approximately 5 miles to the Southeast of where Monday’s remains were discovered. Though the search had to be suspended temporarily due to extreme winter weather, personnel from Garfield, Piute, Sevier, and Iron counties continued an intensive search and rescue operation until all leads had become exhausted on February 3rd. Most recently, the Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs aided in the search for Austin led by Garfield County deputies throughout the weekend of May 20th. However, no new leads were uncovered, causing the Sheriff’s Office to ask the public for information regarding Austin’s whereabouts.
Yesterday, Fredonia PD assisted with notifying Austin’s next of kin that his remains had been recovered. Garfield County Sheriff’s Office would like to express our deepest condolences to the Madsen family and ask that any request for information be made through this office while their family is afforded time to mourn such a tragic loss.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the partnerships and interagency efforts put forth by everyone involved throughout the search process. Any inquiries may be directed to this Office at 435-676-2678 or to the Mapleton Police Department.
– Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
Feature image caption: Human remains were found by shed hunters in Garfield County and reported to the sheriff’s office on Monday, May 29, Memorial Day. Courtesy Garfield County Sheriff’s Office.