Editor’s note: Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased.
Authorities are investigating after human remains were found at Joshua Tree National Park.
On Jan. 25, researchers in the area discovered skeletal remains and contacted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at around 12:08 p.m.
Deputies arrived at the scene where the remains were located off a hiking trail in the Black Rock area of the park. An unattended backpack was also found at the scene.
Authorities later confirmed the backpack belonged to Trammell Evans, 25.
Evans was a missing person who was last seen after being dropped off at the Black Rock Campground on April 30, 2023, according to National Park Service officials.
Days later, he was reported missing on May 5, 2023. Search and rescue crews in the air and on the ground scoured the park, but Evans was not found.
Loved ones said he had planned to hike from Black Rock to Geology Tour Road, then back to Black Rock through the California Riding and Hiking Trail.
The Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau is working to identify the remains and determine the cause of death.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836–1600. Anonymous tips can be provided at 760-341-7867. Callers should reference incident number O240250071.