Wyoming Sheriff: Human remains found in 1982 identified as Sedalia man

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A county sheriff’s office in Wyoming stated in a Wednesday press release that human remains found near Granger, Wyoming, more than 40 years ago have been identified as a Sedalia man.

The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office stated the remains found in 1982 have been identified as Jack Clawson, who went missing in 1981, the release states.

Clawson was allegedly traveling back to Missouri at the time after visiting family in Fremont, California. His remains were referred to as “Pipeline Pete” by investigators, the release states.

Clawson’s remains were discovered in August 1982 by a group of pipeline surveyors in the remote desert near Granger, Wyoming, south of Interstate 80. An investigation and autopsy revealed no signs of foul play, and it was believed Clawson likely died months earlier from exposure during winter, the release states. The case eventually became cold.

In May 2011, biological samples were submitted to the University of Northern Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas, for possible identification through DNA analysis. In March, they received a positive match to Clawson, the release states.