BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — A gruesome discovery by a construction crew on Wednesday has led to a homicide investigation in Box Elder County. The workers, employed by Union Pacific, stumbled upon human remains inside a garbage bag in a remote area near the intersection of 2600 West and Highway 13, located on the northwest border of Brigham City.
According to the Brigham City Police Department, the construction crew initially mistook the black garbage bag for discarded trash. Upon closer inspection, they noticed what appeared to be hair and bones protruding from the bag, leading them to immediately contact law enforcement.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers confirmed that the remains were human. The death was subsequently classified as a homicide, though police have yet to release further details about the victim’s identity or the circumstances surrounding the death.
Brigham City Police Chief Chad Reyes indicated that the remains may have been in the area for several months to a couple of years, though the exact timeline has not been determined. He also clarified that the remains were not found in a typical garbage bag, but rather a “more pliable” container. Chief Reyes declined to provide additional details, citing the need to withhold certain information to protect the integrity of the investigation.
Following the discovery, the remains were transported to the Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. Investigators are hoping the examination will yield critical information, including the identity of the victim and the cause of death.
Multiple law enforcement agencies have been called in to assist in the investigation. Crews from the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office, Weber Metro CSI, and Weber County cadaver dogs were all involved in canvassing the area for additional evidence. Authorities are also reviewing both state and national missing persons databases as part of the ongoing investigation.
One significant lead being explored is a potential connection to the case of Matthew Johnson, a Utah National Guardsman who went missing several years ago. Johnson’s wife, Jennifer Gledhill, was arrested and charged with his murder, though his body has never been recovered. Police have been in contact with the Cottonwood Heights Police Department to determine if the remains found in Box Elder County belong to Johnson.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be reported to the Box Elder Communications Center at 435-856-7023.
This discovery has left the Brigham City community shaken, and residents are anxiously awaiting more details as authorities work to unravel the mystery surrounding the remains.