The unidentified remains discovered 28 years ago in the Utah desert have been identified as Pedro Calderon Marioni, according to an announcement from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Marioni was found in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on June 2, 1998, and is believed to have been deceased for approximately two years prior to his discovery.
The initial discovery occurred when investigators, acting on information from a psychic, were searching for three suspects in the murder of a Colorado police officer. A Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent found Marioni’s partially skeletonized remains near a drainage path, partially covered by sand, rock, and dirt. No connection was found between Marioni’s remains and the fugitives.
Personal items found with the remains included cowboy boots, a bathrobe, a Ford truck key, and a long-distance calling card. Investigators at the time speculated that Marioni may have been traveling between Texas and California.
The remains, initially known as "Garfield County John Doe," were taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner but remained unidentified despite extensive investigation.
In July 2022, the remains were sent to Othram, a cold case processing lab in Texas, for advanced forensic genetic genealogy testing funded by federal grant money. The lab successfully created a DNA profile and provided investigators with potential family leads. Following extensive historical record reviews, location of potential relatives, and multiple interviews, Marioni's sister was identified in May. A DNA sample from her confirmed Marioni as her brother.
The identification of Pedro Calderon Marioni marks the eighth publicly announced cold case identification utilizing Othram's lab for genetic genealogy analysis. "This identification demonstrates the value of persistence, collaboration, and advancements in forensic science," Garfield County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Tom Talbot stated in a news release. "Most importantly, it provides long-awaited answers to a family that has lived for decades without knowing the fate of their loved one."