Authorities in Arizona have identified human remains discovered in December as those of William Anthony Ott, a hiker who disappeared in the Grand Canyon region nearly 15 years ago.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday, July 21, that DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to Ott, who was 65 when he was reported missing in May 2012.
Search Launched After Hiker Failed to Return
Ott began a three-week solo trek through a remote section of the Hualapai Indian Reservation on April 5, 2012, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
He planned to complete the hike by April 28 but never returned. Ott was officially reported missing 12 days after his expected arrival date.
The National Park Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety and other agencies conducted an extensive search. Despite their efforts, investigators were unable to determine what had happened to him.
Remains Discovered Near Original Search Area
Members of the Hualapai Tribe found human remains in December near the location where the original search for Ott had begun.
The remains were transferred to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the county medical examiner for examination. Authorities later worked with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to conduct DNA analysis, which confirmed Ott’s identity.
Ott Was an Accomplished Grand Canyon Hiker
Ott’s friend Scott Thybony, who participated in the initial search, described him as a highly experienced hiker.
Thybony told public radio station KNAU in 2017 that Ott had spent 78 days walking the entire length of the Grand Canyon in 1981. He reportedly became the first person to complete the traverse along the canyon’s north side.
At the time of his disappearance, Ott was believed to be searching for ancient rock art panels hidden in an isolated part of the Grand Canyon.
Thybony said Ott was especially fascinated by colorful pictographs created thousands of years ago. Their remote locations and the difficulty involved in reaching them reportedly made the artwork even more appealing to him.
Hiker Lived an Independent, Off-Grid Lifestyle
In a separate interview with Outside, Thybony said Ott had adopted an off-grid lifestyle years before his disappearance.
Ott reportedly sold most of his possessions and constructed a cabin using his own tools in Cave Junction, Oregon. He would travel back to Arizona approximately once a year to explore the Grand Canyon and search for ancient rock art.
Cause of Death Remains Undisclosed
Authorities have not publicly released Ott’s cause of death.
Thybony told Outside that his friend’s remains were discovered at the bottom of a 15-foot cliff. Ott’s main backpack was reportedly not found with him.
PEOPLE contacted the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 22, seeking additional information but did not receive an immediate response.
DNA testing has finally provided an answer regarding the identity of the remains found near the Grand Canyon. However, questions surrounding William Anthony Ott’s death, including how he fell and what happened to his backpack, remain unresolved.