Sheriff issues press release on cold case from 2011
PHILIPSBURG - The following is a press release issued by the Granite County Sheriff's Department regarding a cold case.
Phillipsburg, MT (September 1, 2021)
The Granite County Sheriff’s Office announces that they can give a name to the unidentified remains found in the Bidwell Gulch area on Lower Rock Creek in the Welcome Creek Wilderness in 2014. His name is David Jon Milek of Dallas, TX. David was 32 years old when he was last seen by his family in Texas in 2011.
In the summer of 2014, a hiker came across skeletonized remains in the Welcome Creek Wilderness. After a thorough investigation, the remains could not be identified. Despite years of work and hours researching missing person databases in the U.S. and Canada, his identity remained a mystery.
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 DNA laboratory in Texas. Othram used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing and genetic genealogy to identify David Milek as the person whose remains that 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.
This case, along with multiple other cold cases recently resolved, is an example of the dedication of law enforcement professionals and coroners working tirelessly and using new DNA profiling methods and forensic genetic genealogy to bring closure to families affected by tragic events.
The cause of Milek’s death could not be determined by a forensic pathological examination conducted after the remains were recovered. 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.
Scott Dunkerson
Sheriff/Coroner
Granite County
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