Remains of missing person found

Authorities in Utah have identified the remains of a body found Sunday as that of 19-year-old Kyle R. Burton, who went missing last fall.

Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Brian Locke said Burton’s body was found by a hiker east of Sherwood Drive, in the foothills above Providence. The remains had been turned over to the State of Utah’s Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.

Burton, son of Ralph Witters Elementary teacher Ashlee Burton and her husband, Gerry, went missing on November 28 after walking away from his grandparent’s home in River Heights. He had reportedly left in the morning on foot, without a coat or cell phone.

The Cache County Sheriff’s office helped families and friends for several weeks, searching for Burton unsuccessfully. The disappearance of their son has been an emotional as well as financially draining experience for the Burton family, so staff from Hot Springs County Schools took donations to help the family with their search.

Locke said Burton’s body was found under a tree, in a rocky and steep area north of Providence Canyon. It was about 50-60 yards inside the south facing slope of a ravine.

Burton was originally from Lovell, Wyo. His family said he loved acting and singing. He enjoyed hiking in the mountains and ran cross country in high school.

Investigators don’t suspect foul play, and Burton’s death doesn’t appear to be suspicious.