Hikers make gruesome discovery In Utah

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — Police responded to Deaf Smith Canyon Sunday after hikers discovered human skeletal remains.

Homeowners who live in the area were hiking near their property when they found a human skull, some bones and a small piece of camouflage cloth, and they called police around 1:15 p.m.

Unified Police said the bones were found on the border of Cottonwood Heights and Forest Service Land about a mile from a trail.

Specific details about the cause and manner of death are unknown at this time, and police say the bones may have been there for one year or for 20 years.

“You can’t tell because of the extreme conditions that we have here in Utah, which can either speed up or delay decomposition,” Lt. Brian Lohrke said.

Later Sunday night, the bones were taken to the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office.

Residents nearby tell police that there are several closed off mines in the area as well as private roads, so not many people hike in the area currently. The area was more popular with hikers in years past, before those private roads restricted access.

Police initially stated the remains were found in Neffs Canyon, but they later corrected that information and said the remains were found in Deaf Smith Canyon.

This article was originally published by fellow CNN affiliate KSTU. It is used here with permission.