Skeletal remains discovered in the American wilderness have been identified as John Gillies, a 63-year-old Scottish man who disappeared six years ago while camping in Wyoming. The remains were found by forest workers in September 2025 near Sweetwater Gap.
The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) initiated a lengthy investigation following the discovery. Investigators found personal effects at the scene that aided in identifying the deceased, who was originally from Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire.
To assist in the identification process, SCSO officials contacted Saint Mary’s Church in Gillies' hometown. Church officials helped locate his surviving family in Scotland, including his ex-wife. Through Interpol and Police Scotland, DNA samples were collected from relatives. In December, an anthropologist determined that approximately 85% of Gillies’ remains had been recovered and that they had likely been at the site for six years. The cause of death remains unknown.
On June 30, 2026, the SCSO received confirmation from the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory that the remains were biologically related to the family reference samples collected in Scotland, positively identifying the deceased as John Gillies. The SCSO announced the positive identification yesterday, stating that the investigation spanned two countries and involved Interpol, Scottish law enforcement, and the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory.
Investigators contacted Gillies’ family the same day the identification was confirmed to notify them that their loved one had been found. Gillies’ ex-wife conveyed that he was “more than bones,” a sentiment that investigators noted provided invaluable insight and served as a reminder that every unidentified person has loved ones.
At the family's request, the sheriff's office is now working with Interpol to return Gillies’ remains to Scotland for burial. Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr commended the dedication of all involved, highlighting the collaborative effort between local, state, federal, and international partners in bringing answers to the family.