PHILIPSBURG — Human remains found in the Lower Rock Creek area in 2014 have finally been identified.
Granite County Sheriff Scott Dunkerson says the remains are those of David Jon Milek of Dallas, who was 32 years old when he was last seen by his family in 2011.
A hiker came across the remains in the summer of 2014 in the Welcome Creek Wilderness.
Earlier this year, with the help of Granite County Sheriff’s Office funding as well as DNASolves Crowdfunding and a contribution from Audiochuck, the Granite County Sheriff’s Office and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Squad partnered with Othram Inc., a Texas DNA laboratory.
Othram was able to identify Milek as the person whose remains had been found.
The Montana State Crime Lab conducted DNA testing of Milek’s parent’s samples and compared those to the remains to confirm that the previously unidentified remains were David's.
The cause of Milek’s death could not be determined by a forensic pathological examination that was conducted after the remains were recovered.
However, Sheriff Dunkerson says based on facts learned in the investigation, no foul play is suspected.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Milek family in their time of mourning,” Sheriff Dunkerson concluded.
