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Sean D. Reyes
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Weber County Missing Person Identified with Rapid DNA Analysis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2019


WEBER COUNTY MISSING PERSON IDENTIFIED WITH RAPID DNA ANALYSIS

OGDEN — The identity of a Weber County man has been confirmed through Rapid DNA Analysis from remains discovered 10 months after he was reported missing by his family.

On March 17, 2019 hikers at the Ogden Nature Center reported bones they had discovered on the mountainside. The bones were found to belong to a human adult.

Rapid DNA Analysis of samples obtained from the bone confirmed the identity as 29-year-old Mark Myres of Ogden, who had been missing since May 4, 2018. The cause of death is unknown.

“The Weber County Sheriff’s Department and the AG’s Office are pleased that the use of the Rapid DNA technology is able to provide answers to Mr. Myres’ family,” said Special Agent Nate Mutter. “We’d like to express our condolences for their loss.”

Rapid DNA testing was first used by the Utah Attorney General’s Office in 2018. About the size of a printer, this technology allows law enforcement to analyze evidence on the crime scene and deliver results within a couple of hours. This timing is significantly shorter than the typical turnaround time often needed for DNA analysis.

Since its integration into the Attorney General’s Office, Rapid DNA has helped solve a myriad of cases.

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Notes:

1.       For more information on Rapid DNA visit https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/rapid-dna/.

Utah Attorney General’s Office Joins Law Enforcement for Missing in Utah Event

March 13, 2019

On Saturday, investigators from the Utah Attorney General’s Office joined detectives from several law enforcement agencies and personnel from the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office to discuss missing person investigations in Utah and assist in collecting information as part of the ‘Missing in Utah’ event hosted by the Salt Lake City Police Department.

The event was a first of its kind for Utah and was based on similar events in Michigan and Arizona. Missing in Utah extended an open invitation to the public to attend as an opportunity to open a new missing person case or add to an existing one.

Utah AG investigators were available to talk to people about their new or existing case, help search databases, and collect information that could assist people in finding their missing loved ones. In addition, the investigators directed people to NamUs, a national organization that helps resolve missing, unidentified, and unclaimed person cases throughout the United States. NamUs was able to collect DNA samples, dental, and/or medical records from family members which were entered into their nationwide database.

A Detective Sergeant from the South Jordan Police Department attended the event looking for his missing uncle. Due to his employment, he was unable to search the missing persons databases himself. Missing in Utah allowed the Detective Sergeant to enter his uncle’s information into the database and he was ultimately found alive in Arizona. Personnel were then able to reach out to the uncle and notify him that his family had been searching for him.

The Salt Lake City Police Department was joined by law enforcement from the West Valley City Police Department, West Jordan Police Department, and the Sandy City Police Department. Officers were available to take reports, gather information, and take identifiers from families of missing persons.

Missing in Utah will be held annually. We hope new information can help us locate loved ones we’ve lost.

Utahns who were unable to attend the event can call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000, or visit the NamUs website, at NamUs.gov.


Media coverage:

ABC 4: The Salt Lake Police Department hosted ‘Missing in Utah’ event

Fox 13: Six days after husband’s disappearance, Utah woman hopes to find answers at ‘Missing in Utah’ event

KSL: Utah police gather information from the public to help solve missing persons cases

Salt Lake Tribune: Event offers families of missing Utahns another chance at hope, discovery

Deseret News: Utah police gather information form the public to help solve missing persons cases