MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Human remains found in 2019 in Gateway have been identified as a 48-year-old man who went missing in 1997.

In December 2019, a hunting guide who was scouting the area discovered the skeletal remains of an unknown man near an overlook in Gateway, according to DNASolves.com, which helps law enforcement with human identification investigations.

The Mesa County Coroner’s Office confirmed the following information from DNASolves.com.

Investigators found the man’s personal belongings scattered around him, though none helped identify who he was. Those items included a 0.38 caliber revolver, a leather holster, a small red flashlight with a blue and white rope attached, a red and black fabric bag with a strap, a white metal Camel cigarette zippo-style lighter, and Camel cigarette pack, according to DNA Solves. He also had two blue extra-large Acorn socks, a pair of size 36 Pacific Crest shorts with a belt, a piece of black and white-patterned blanket or clothing, and a pair of Chaco sandals. Lastly, they found two Diplomat Optical 140 brand metal frame eyeglasses, one of which had a prescription.

Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | December 21, 11am

They estimated he was between 30 and 60 years old when he died and was between 5 feet, 7 inches, and 6 feet, 2 inches tall, but could not determine his weight or hair color.

The cause of his death was not…