Remains Believed to Be of Missing Utah Farmer Dylan Rounds Discovered in Remote Location

Skeletal remains found in a remote part of western Utah are believed to belong to Dylan Rounds, a 19-year-old farmer who disappeared in 2022, authorities announced Tuesday, after the man charged in Rounds’ death reportedly led authorities to the burial site.

The human remains were discovered in Lucin, a small railroad community located about 200 miles northwest of Salt Lake City, according to the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office statement. The FBI processed the area for evidence and the remains are currently in the possession of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for identification confirmation.

Rounds, who was last seen on his farm in Lucin and reported missing in May 2022, drew law enforcement’s attention when James Brenner was charged with aggravated murder and abuse of a human body for Rounds’ death and disposal.

Brenner, as part of a plea agreement, disclosed the location of Rounds’ burial site on Tuesday. The development came as a significant breakthrough in the case that had been haunting Rounds’ family and friends.

Rounds’ mother, Candice Cooley, expressed gratitude for the progress, stating, ‘We thank everyone for their support and love. We are grateful we now have Dylan’s body and can bring him home as we continue our fight for justice.’

Investigations revealed that Rounds’ last phone signal led to a pond close to where Brenner resided. Subsequently, Rounds’ boots and phone were discovered in proximity to the area, aiding in the investigative process.

Remembered as a hardworking young farmer, Rounds had moved from his family’s residence in Idaho to Lucin, Utah, where he encountered a tragic fate on his farm property near the Utah-Nevada border.

In a distressing turn of events, 60-year-old James A. Brenner emerged as a key figure in the case, facing severe charges related to Rounds’ murder and concealment of his body. Brenner’s squatting on Rounds’ land raised suspicions early in the investigation.

The sheriff’s office emphasized their empathy for Rounds’ family and their resolve to see the legal processes through, expressing condolences and support during this challenging time for the loved ones of Dylan Rounds.