The search for body parts in a field south of Cheyenne is over, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.

A construction worker discovered human remains Monday while mowing a field north of Terry Road. This discovery led to a two-day search during which 50 officials searched the “grid” squares so as not to miss anything.

“We have completed (the search),” Laramie County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Veldheer told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday. “I think, towards the end of the day Tuesday.”

Veldheer said searchers gathered “everything we could find” from the body and the remains are now in the custody of the Laramie County coroner’s office, which is coordinating with a forensic anthropologist to identify the body.

The deputy chief said he did not have a timetable for how long the identification might take.

“We will wait patiently for them (the coroner and the forensic anthropologist),” he said.

Other details such as the deceased’s age, gender and how long the remains were in that field also won’t be revealed until the death investigation is underway or completed, Veldheer said .

Evidence such as dental records, healed bone fractures from injuries the person suffered while alive, and other clues will be considered in this process, he said.

Identifying the body is not necessarily the first step in the sheriff’s office’s investigation, but it is a prerequisite for much of the case moving forward.

No cause of death appears obvious at this point, Veldheer said, adding that he does not know whether the person died in that field or was transferred there.

Veldheer said he was not aware of the mower running over the body or any part of it, although that is difficult to say as some parts were scattered by weather and/or wildlife before the discovery.

From what the mower could tell, he spotted part of the body before the mower reached that section and realized it was a human remains, Veldheer said.

Veldheer said his office appreciates the help of the many researchers. He also thanked the community for their understanding, noting that this investigation could be lengthy.

“But our goal is to bring closure to this person and their family,” Veldheer said.

Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid did not immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment Thursday.

Missing persons cases

Until an identification can be made, if it can be made, there is no information indicating whether the discovery could be linked to any open missing persons cases in Cheyenne.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation had nine missing persons cases listed for Laramie County as of Monday afternoon.

The oldest case concerns Melanie Ehman, who disappeared on July 24, 2015 at the age of 58. She was last known to be driving a white double truck registered in Florida. The truck was also pulling a white fifth-wheel trailer with Florida license plates, the DCI database shows.

Other missing people include:

• Silas Anthony Ojeda, who disappeared at the age of one on October 23, 2016, and who is believed to be the victim of a criminal act.

• Joseph Nathaniel Paredes, disappeared on August 25, 2023, at the age of 30, according to the database.

• James Eric Beckett, disappeared around March 1, 2024, at the age of 48. He was reported missing on August 15.

• Shanna Janene Brubaker, 38, missing after last sighting on April 29.

• Roy Arthur Moates, 59, last seen on May 18.

• Larry Kimball, 56, last seen on May 19.

• Robert Alan Schuler, 59, last seen September 9.

• Alyssa Jaylee Paull, 20, last seen on September 22.

Claire McFarland can be reached at [email protected].