DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) – The skeletal remains that were discovered by a hiker along a trail near Draper on Monday have now been identified.
Draper Police say the remains belong to Bradley Cutler, 53, a man from Millcreek. Police say the decomposed body was found along Ghost Falls Trail in Corner Canyon.
Cutler was a man who was reported missing back in 2019. A wallet with Cutler’s identification was found near the remains at the time.
The man’s remains were found in a dry creek bed where officials say “people don’t normally travel.” Based on the conditions of the remains, police say they may have been on the trail for around three years.
Bikers who frequent the area tell ABC4 it’s a shock to learn about the grisly discovery.
“We’ve probably ridden down Ghost Falls Trail hundreds of times this season so the fact that someone could potentially get lost up here and have that happen is pretty mindblowing,” says local biker Brandon Preece.
“It’s unfortunate that somebody would get hurt,” says biker Ben Williams. “But then you kind of wonder, ‘How many times have I ridden past this area and not known about it?'”
Police are treating the incident as suspicious, but say they don’t expect “foul play” at this time.
Officials are in the process of contacting the man’s family and are awaiting official identity confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office.
“If we are able to verify that this person is the person who was reported missing, that would bring a lot of comfort to the family to know that they can give him a proper burial,” says Draper Police.
ABC4 will update this story as more information becomes available.
