Remains found in Kane County identified as woman missing since 2023

KANE COUNTY, Utah ( ABC4 ) — The human remains that were found on Cedar Mountain at the end of May have been identified as Courtney Lynne Townsend, according to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office .

On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said via a social media press release that the Utah State Medical Examiner confirmed the identity of the remains through dental records.

The remains were found by someone riding an ATV in the Duck Creek Ridge area on May 27, 2024. Officials said that person “noticed some clothing alongside the road.”

The Kane County Sheriff’s Office said it worked with the St. George Police Department to look for additional evidence after the remains of Townsend were found.

“Evidence located at the scene helped to confirm Townsend’s identity,” the sheriff’s office said Wednesday.

While the remains have been identified, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office said the case is still considered an open investigation by the sheriff’s office, St. George Police Department, and the Utah Medical Examiner’s Office.

According to officials, a vehicle was found in Kane County on Nov. 19, 2023, in the forest south of Duck Creek. Officials said the vehicle had burned and “appeared to be stuck on some rocks.”

Officials traced that vehicle back to Townsend’s mother, who reported the car as stolen to the St. George Police Department on Nov. 16, 2023. Townsend’s mother filed a missing persons report on Dec. 2, 2023.

“Investigators from KCSO and SGPD have worked closely on the case over the last 6 months,” officials said in the May 28 release. “Search efforts were hampered because of snow fall and a ground search was not possible until Early May when the snow had melted sufficiently.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.