4 Tragic Breakthroughs: Recent Missing Persons In Utah Found Deceased (2024-2025)

The search for a missing loved one is a relentless, agonizing ordeal, but for numerous families across Utah, the recent period of late 2024 and early 2025 has brought a heartbreaking, yet crucial, sense of closure. This wave of discoveries, fueled by both dedicated search efforts and groundbreaking advancements in forensic science, underscores the tireless work of Utah law enforcement and volunteer organizations. These cases, ranging from immediate tragedies to decades-old cold cases, highlight the state’s commitment to resolving every disappearance, no matter how long the trail has gone cold. As of today, December 12, 2025, the identification of human remains continues to bring final answers to some of the state's most enduring mysteries. The recent breakthroughs involve the use of cutting-edge forensic genetic genealogy and the discovery of submerged vehicles in remote reservoirs, demonstrating the diverse and challenging nature of missing person investigations in Utah's vast and rugged terrain. Below are four of the most significant and recently resolved cases that have captured the attention of the state.

Recent Breakthroughs: Missing Persons Cases Solved in 2024 & 2025

The resolution of a missing person case often hinges on a single piece of evidence or a technological leap. The following individuals represent the tragic reality of those found deceased, but whose identities and final resting places were confirmed through recent, intensive efforts.

1. Steven Willard Anderson: The 20-Year Starvation Reservoir Mystery

The discovery of a submerged vehicle in late September 2024 brought an end to a 20-year mystery surrounding Steven Willard Anderson.

Biography & Disappearance

• Name: Steven Willard Anderson
• Age: 47 (at the time of disappearance)
• Missing Since: June 2004
• Last Seen: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Vehicle: Leased dark green 2001 Toyota Sequoia SUV

Steven Willard Anderson was reported missing in June 2004, and his case remained an open, ongoing investigation for two decades. The lack of any trace made the case particularly challenging for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office and other involved agencies. The vast, remote areas of Utah often pose significant obstacles for search and rescue operations.

Discovery and Identification

The breakthrough came on September 29, 2024, when a submerged vehicle was located in Starvation Reservoir in Duchesne County. The vehicle, a Toyota Sequoia, was confirmed to be the one Anderson was driving when he vanished. Human remains were found inside the SUV, and forensic experts positively identified them as belonging to the 46-year-old Anderson. The discovery highlights the persistent efforts of search teams, who often rely on specialized sonar technology to locate vehicles in deep, murky waters. This case is a profound example of how nature can conceal evidence for decades, only to reveal it unexpectedly. The Duchesne County Sheriff's Office and the Unified Police Department played key roles in the recovery and subsequent identification process.

2. Douglas Brick: A 51-Year-Old University Cold Case Solved

The identification of Douglas Brick's remains in 2024 closed the University of Utah Police Department's only known cold case, a disappearance that had baffled investigators for over half a century.

Biography & Disappearance

• Name: Douglas Halliwell Brick
• Age: 18 (at the time of disappearance)
• Missing Since: October 12, 1973
• Last Seen: Leaving Austin Hall dormitory, University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City
• Circumstances: He walked out of his dorm and vanished. His car was found abandoned soon after.

Douglas Brick's disappearance was one of Utah's most enduring cold cases. For over 50 years, the question of what happened to the University of Utah student remained unanswered. The case went cold for decades, compounded by lost police records and unsuccessful early searches in the hills near the campus.

Resolution Through Modern Forensics

In a significant breakthrough in 2024, bone fragments—specifically skull fragments—were discovered near the campus area where Brick was last seen. Utilizing modern forensic DNA analysis, investigators were able to confirm the identity of the remains as Douglas Brick. While the cause of death remains unknown, the identification finally provided his family with the closure they had sought for 51 years, six months, and 19 days. This resolution is a powerful testament to the impact of contemporary forensic science and the renewed focus on Utah's cold cases.

3. Kevin Lynn Capps: The Weber County John Doe Identified

The identification of a body found in 1992 as Kevin Lynn Capps in November 2024 marked another major success for forensic genetic genealogy in Utah.

Biography & Discovery

• Name: Kevin Lynn Capps
• Age: 30 (at the time of death)
• Date of Death: April 16, 1992
• Discovery Location: An open field in Weber County, Utah
• Circumstances: Firefighters found a burned body partially concealed under a fiberglass boat after responding to a grass fire.

For 32 years, the man found in Weber County was known only as "Weber County John Doe." His death was ruled to have occurred under "suspicious circumstances," and the lack of identification hampered the investigation into the cause of death. The case was a stark reminder of the hundreds of unidentified human remains and cold case homicides across the state of Utah.

Identification via Forensic Genealogy

The breakthrough in Capps' case came in 2024 through the use of advanced forensic genetic genealogy. This technology allows investigators to use DNA profiles to search public genealogy databases, linking the unidentified remains to distant relatives and ultimately building a family tree to pinpoint the individual. The Weber County Sheriff's Office announced the positive identification of Kevin Lynn Capps in November 2024, finally giving him back his name and allowing detectives to potentially pursue the circumstances of his death. This method is proving to be the "biggest crime-fighting breakthrough in decades" for solving cold cases nationwide, including those in Utah.

4. Talia Benward: A Tragic and Immediate Discovery in 2025

Not all missing persons cases are decades old. The tragic case of Talia Benward illustrates how quickly a search can turn from a missing person alert to a recovery and criminal investigation.

Biography & Case Details

• Name: Talia Benward
• Age: 31
• Missing Since: January 2, 2025
• Location: Utah (Unified Police Jurisdiction)
• Resolution: Found deceased shortly after being reported missing; a suspect was apprehended.

Talia Benward was reported missing in early January 2025. The Unified Police Department immediately launched an investigation, treating the case with high urgency. Tragically, her body was located soon after the initial report, and the case quickly transitioned into a death investigation.

Law Enforcement Response and Apprehension

The speed of the investigation was critical. Law enforcement quickly identified and apprehended a person of interest, who was later named as a suspect in her death. This immediate resolution, though heartbreaking, provided rapid answers for the family and prevented the case from languishing in the missing persons clearinghouse. It serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers that can be present in cases of sudden disappearance.

The Role of Technology and Dedicated Agencies

The recent successes in resolving these missing persons cases are a direct result of several key factors, demonstrating Utah's multi-faceted approach to criminal and investigative work.

Forensic Genetic Genealogy and DNA Breakthroughs

The identification of both Douglas Brick and Kevin Lynn Capps, decades after their deaths, highlights the critical role of forensic genetic genealogy. This technology is revolutionizing the Utah Cold Case Coalition's efforts, allowing investigators to extract DNA from degraded or minimal remains and compare it against public genealogy databases. The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) are actively collaborating with private labs to tackle the hundreds of unsolved cases involving unidentified human remains.

Search and Rescue Operations in Remote Utah

The discovery of Steven Willard Anderson’s vehicle in Starvation Reservoir underscores the extreme challenges of search and rescue in Utah's vast wilderness and deep-water bodies. Operations often involve the combined efforts of local sheriff’s offices (like Duchesne County), specialized dive teams, and sophisticated sonar equipment. These search methods are vital for locating individuals who disappear in the state’s rugged canyons, mountains, and reservoirs.

Support for Families and Continued Investigation

While identification provides closure, the investigations into the circumstances of death—especially in the cases of Kevin Lynn Capps and Talia Benward—continue. The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a Missing Persons Clearinghouse, which serves as a central repository for information and a resource for families. Organizations like the Utah Cold Case Coalition also provide crucial support and awareness, ensuring that no case is truly forgotten. For families still waiting, the recent breakthroughs offer a glimmer of hope that one day, their loved one's case will also be resolved.