CASPER, WY — Bow hunters found human remains Sept. 13 near Starvation Peak and Mosquito Creek in the Palisades Wilderness Study Area, leading Teton County authorities to recover most of the skeleton from a shallow basin covered in thick grass.
Deputy coroner Russell Nelson said the remains are believed to be those of a stocky man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, who was likely between 45 and 65 years old. Investigators think he may have died three to four years ago.
The person was found wearing Wrangler clothing and steel-toed boots, and officials also recovered a hatchet, pocketknife, comb and coins. Authorities said they do not suspect foul play.
Teton County investigators describe the clothing and items found with the remains
The remains were discovered by two bow hunters, and SVI News reported that Teton County deputies recovered about 90 percent of the skeleton at the site. The location, in a remote basin near Starvation Peak and Mosquito Creek, made the recovery more difficult.
Nelson’s description gives investigators a partial profile of the person while they continue trying to determine his identity. The estimated age range, height and build are among the main clues released so far.
The clothing and personal items may also help narrow down who the man was. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the person’s identity to contact 307-733-2331.
Rock Springs junior high firearm report turns out to be unfounded
In Sweetwater County, school officials and Rock Springs police say a report of a student with a firearm at Rock Springs Junior High was not verified after an investigation Tuesday.
Sweetwater County School District #1 said there was no confirmed threat to students or staff. Police and school officials looked into the report and determined it was unfounded.
The district said campus safety remains a priority. The message was meant to reassure families and staff after the report drew concern in the community.
Worland shed fire threatened equipment chickens and hay behind Asian Cuisine
Firefighters in Worland responded Friday, Sept. 18, to a shed fire in an area behind Asian Cuisine. The Worland Fire Department said the blaze was large and smoldering when crews arrived.
Officials said the fire threatened nearby equipment, chickens and hay, but no injuries were reported. Crews worked to bring the fire under control before it could spread further.
The department did not say what started the fire. The incident adds to a busy stretch for local responders in western Wyoming.
Sawmill Fire declared out while two tiny new fires were contained in the Bighorn National Forest
In the Bighorn National Forest, the Sawmill Fire near Red Grade Road 26 was declared out on Monday, Sept. 21. Forest officials also reported two new fires the same day.
The Marcum Fire, west of Elk View Inn off Highway 14, burned about one-tenth of an acre before crews contained it. The Leigh Creek Fire near Ten Sleep Canyon off Highway 16 also burned about one-tenth of an acre and was contained by Forest Service crews.
Those fast-moving responses limited the size of both fires and kept them from becoming larger problems in the forest.
BLM seeks public help in finding the cause of the Weiser Knoll Fire
The Bureau of Land Management is asking for help with its investigation into the Weiser Knoll Fire, which began Aug. 9 and burned nearly 16,000 acres southeast of Lander in Fremont County.
Anyone with information about what caused the fire is asked to call 307-332-8400. The request suggests investigators are still trying to determine how the blaze started.
The fire’s size makes the investigation especially important for officials and land managers looking at what happened across the area.
