Human bones found in remote American woods confirmed as remains of missing Scot
Skeletal remains discovered in a remote American woodland have been confirmed as those of John Gillies, a Scottish man missing for nearly six years. The bones were found near Sweetwater Gap in Wyoming by forest workers in September 2025 and have now been positively identified following a year-long international investigation.
Mr Gillies, 63, from Kirkintilloch in East Dunbartonshire, vanished after camping at the location. Following excavations at the site, investigators located personal belongings including his identification card. A coordinated secondary search was conducted on September 10, 2025, involving the Sublette County Sheriff's Office, Sublette County Search and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service, with a 14-member team covering approximately 20 miles of rugged terrain.
The investigation spanned two countries and required the assistance of Interpol, Police Scotland, and law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. DNA samples were collected from Mr Gillies' relatives in Scotland through St Mary's Church in Kirkintilloch. These samples were later sent to the Wyoming State Crime Laboratory for comparison with the recovered remains.
On June 30, 2026, investigators received confirmation that the remains were biologically related to the family reference samples. Later that day, Mr Gillies' family was notified of the positive identification after nearly a year of investigation.
Mr Gillies' ex-wife paid tribute during the process, telling investigators: "I wanted you to know he was more than bones." Her cooperation provided invaluable assistance throughout the investigation.
Sublette County Sheriff K.C. Lehr said: "This case is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved and the strength of partnerships that extend well beyond our county and even our nation's borders."
At the family's request, authorities are now coordinating with Interpol to arrange the return of Mr Gillies' remains to Scotland. The circumstances surrounding how his remains came to be in the remote Wyoming wilderness remain unclear.