Remains of Utah woman found a mile away from where her ‘original remains’ were discovered last year

KANE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Human remains were discovered on Cedar Mountain earlier this month and have been identified as belonging to Courtney Townsend — a Utah woman whose remains were originally found almost a year ago.

The sheriff’s office said that “possible human remains” were reported by a hunter on Cedar Mountain on May 8, 2025. Upon receiving reports of the remains, a deputy responded to the area and retrieved them.

“The location of the remains was about a mile from where the original remains of Courtney Townsend were located in May of 2024,” the Kane County Sheriff’s Office said.

The newly discovered remains were taken to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office, which is where they were positively identified as Townsend’s remains.

“The items did not provide any additional clues regarding the death of Ms. Townsend,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office did not disclose additional information about what was found on May 8. Officials and volunteers searched the area for additional remains on May 9, but didn’t find anything else, according to the sheriff’s office.

Background

Courtney Townsend was first reported missing in December 2023.

Townsend’s mother reported that her car was stolen on Nov. 16, 2023. Three days later, a vehicle was found in the forest south of Duck Creek, and “appeared to be stuck on some rocks.” That vehicle was traced back to Townsend’s mother.

Officials said winter weather in the area hampered the search efforts, and that a ground search couldn’t be performed until the snow sufficiently melted.

On May 27, 2024, a person riding an ATV in the Duck Creek Ridge Area noticed some clothing alongside the road and reported it to officials. On June 12, 2024, the Kane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Townsend.

Last year, officials said evidence found at the scene helped confirm Townsend’s identity.