Human remains found in Garfield County nearly 30 years ago identified

TICABOO, Garfield County — Human remains found nearly three decades ago in a remote part of Garfield County have been identified.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that remains found in 1998 in the Hogsprings area near Ticaboo, within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, have been identified as 31-year-old Pedro Calderon Marioni. The partially skeletonized remains were discovered on June 2, 1998, “near a drainage path and were partially covered by sand, rock and dirt,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

 

The remains were discovered while law enforcers from multiple states were conducting an extensive manhunt in the Four Corners area for three men suspected of killing a Colorado police officer in Cortez.

“Investigators from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation were searching the area after receiving information from a psychic regarding the possible whereabouts of the fugitives. During that search, a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent located the human remains,” the sheriff’s office stated.

But investigators soon determined that the deceased person had been dead for about two years and was not connected to the missing fugitives.

“Evidence suggested the remains belonged to a Hispanic male between 25 and 34 years of age who may have been traveling between the El Paso, Texas, area and Los Angeles, California,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Police also recovered at the scene a “calf-roping belt buckle, cowboy boots, a denim jacket, bathrobe, jeans, belt, athletic shoes, a yellow metal bracelet chain with an eagle charm, sunglasses, a brown wallet, a Ford truck key and a long-distance calling card.”

The remains were taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner and entered into the state’s missing persons database as “Garfield County John Doe.”

“In July 2024, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Utah Department of Public Safety’s State Bureau of Investigation to pursue advanced forensic genetic genealogy testing. Through federal grant funding, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram,” the sheriff’s office stated.

DNA tests from Othram resulted in new leads for deputies to follow.

“Garfield County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Talbot conducted an extensive follow-up investigation that included reviewing historical records, locating potential relatives, and conducting interviews across multiple jurisdictions. In May 2026, investigators identified a possible sister of the deceased,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Talbot collected a DNA sample from the woman. And after comparing it to DNA from the remains, “the comparison resulted in a positive identification.”

“This identification demonstrates the value of persistence, collaboration, and advancements in forensic science,” said Talbot. “Most importantly, it provides long-awaited answers to a family that has lived for decades without knowing the fate of their loved one.”

The sheriff’s office says the circumstances surrounding Marioni’s death remain under investigation.

“Investigators are seeking information regarding his movements, associates, and activities prior to his disappearance. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Garfield County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Talbot at 435-676-1126.”

Talbot told KSL that Marion’s death is considered suspicious because of some of the undisclosed circumstances surrounding the discovery of his remains. Talbot says his efforts to identify the remains took him to Texas, California and Mexico to find possible relatives. Now, he says, information from the family will be crucial in figuring out what happened to Marion. Police do not believe Marion had any ties to Utah.

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