Skeletal remains and a backpack belonging to a man last seen on April 30 were found by personnel at Joshua Tree National Park in California last week.
Researchers found the backpack Thursday, and then other personnel responding to the off-trail area found the bones. The rucksack belonged to Trammell Evans, 25, park staff said in a release Tuesday.
Mr. Evans was dropped off at a campground in the park on April 30 and was reported overdue on May 5. He had planned to hike a route he had completed before. Search and rescue efforts since that date had not turned him up.
“He’s a very experienced hiker. Like he’s done so much hiking, so, so much hiking. Honestly, more hiking than most people would want to do in their lifetime. … He’s done that exact route before. And he never showed up,” Mr. Evans’ brother Charlie Evans told Palm Springs ABC affiliate KESQ-TV weeks after he was declared overdue.
The bones and cause of death have not been officially identified, but on Sunday a Facebook page dedicated to finding Mr. Evans said the remains found were his. The page is run by his family, according to KESQ.
“We are saddened to share that the remains of Tram Evans have been discovered near Covington Flats in Joshua Tree National Park. It appears he succumbed to complications related to alcohol withdrawal. … He sought healing through being in nature, but underestimated the challenges of his condition,” the Find Tram page posted.
Investigation by park officials and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing.