Remains Found in Colorado National Park Identified as Man, 73, Who Disappeared Over 1 Year Ago

Mar. 15, 2025

Thomas Irwin.Photo:Durango Police

Durango Police

The remains of a 73-year-old Indianapolis man who went missing more than a year ago while hiking in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park have been located, officials said.TheNational Park Servicesaid that Thomas Irwin’s remains were found in the park on Friday, Feb. 28, in a Tuesday, March 4, news release.According to the park officials, Irwin was last seen on Jan. 15, 2024, while hiking the Petroglyph Point Trail. His family contacted the park the following day, and a search and rescue operation commenced. However, searchers were unable to locate Irwin after 10 days.The agency added that the search for the missing 73-year-old man continued throughout the past year. Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.“We sincerely appreciate and recognize the dedication of the Mesa Verde Resource and Visitor Protection Team and other park staff who continued the search for Mr. Irwin,” Mesa Verde Superintendent Kayci Cook said in the news release. “We are glad this provides some closure for his family.”TheNational Missing and Unidentified Persons Systemsaid that Irwin did a solo road trip from Los Angeles en route to his home in Indiana on Jan. 13, 2024. The next day, he arrived in Cortez, Colorado.Then on Jan. 15, 2024, he entered Mesa Verde National Park, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. That same day, his vehicle was found parked in the headquarters area of the park.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“A subsequent investigation believes that Irwin hiked the Petroglyph Point Trail in Mesa Verde National Park on January 15, 2024,” the database said.TheIndianapolis Starreported that Irwin had cognitive impairment issues and required medications, which he may not have had with him around the time of his disappearance.Irwin was described as 6-foot tall, weighing 200 lbs. at the time, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System reported, adding that he wore jeans and a fleece shirt covered with flannel.PEOPLE reached out to the NPS for additional information on Thursday, March 6.

The remains of a 73-year-old Indianapolis man who went missing more than a year ago while hiking in Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park have been located, officials said.

TheNational Park Servicesaid that Thomas Irwin’s remains were found in the park on Friday, Feb. 28, in a Tuesday, March 4, news release.

According to the park officials, Irwin was last seen on Jan. 15, 2024, while hiking the Petroglyph Point Trail. His family contacted the park the following day, and a search and rescue operation commenced. However, searchers were unable to locate Irwin after 10 days.

The agency added that the search for the missing 73-year-old man continued throughout the past year. Park officials later discovered the remains in the original search area using a human remains detection canine during an off-trail grid search.

“We sincerely appreciate and recognize the dedication of the Mesa Verde Resource and Visitor Protection Team and other park staff who continued the search for Mr. Irwin,” Mesa Verde Superintendent Kayci Cook said in the news release. “We are glad this provides some closure for his family.”

TheNational Missing and Unidentified Persons Systemsaid that Irwin did a solo road trip from Los Angeles en route to his home in Indiana on Jan. 13, 2024. The next day, he arrived in Cortez, Colorado.

Then on Jan. 15, 2024, he entered Mesa Verde National Park, according to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. That same day, his vehicle was found parked in the headquarters area of the park.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“A subsequent investigation believes that Irwin hiked the Petroglyph Point Trail in Mesa Verde National Park on January 15, 2024,” the database said.

TheIndianapolis Starreported that Irwin had cognitive impairment issues and required medications, which he may not have had with him around the time of his disappearance.

Irwin was described as 6-foot tall, weighing 200 lbs. at the time, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System reported, adding that he wore jeans and a fleece shirt covered with flannel.

PEOPLE reached out to the NPS for additional information on Thursday, March 6.

source: people.com