DUCHESNE COUNTY, Utah — A body recovered from a submerged SUV in a Duchesne County reservoir last year has been confirmed to be that of a man who went missing in 2004.
The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that the remains recovered from Starvation Reservoir in September were identified through DNA testing as Steven Willard Anderson. Following an examination by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, no foul play is suspected in Anderson's death and the case has officially been closed.
“Just been a wound that, you know has continuously been opened over the past 20 years just not knowing,” said Steven's son, Axel. “It’s good to have some closure for the family and I’m excited for the future now.”
Anderson was reported missing in June 2004 when he failed to arrive at his family's cabin after telling his father he was headed there to do some painting.
2024 story below shows discovery of Anderson's body in reservoir:
“When they found the car and the remains there was a lot of closure but there was still a little bit of uncertainty,” shared Kevin Anderson, Steven's brother. “The finality of it all but also the closure of it all that provides all of us with the abilities to say, 'Okay, this is what’s happened.'”
On Sept. 29, the SUV was found at a depth of 50 feet in the reservoir by United Search Corps, a nonprofit group that specializes in missing person cases. The group had previously worked on the cold case with Dave Sparks of the popular reality TV show, Diesel Brothers.
"Brings closure to generations of a family rather than just thinking their dad up and vanished one day,” said Sparks.
Multiple police agencies and private companies were used to recover the SUV the day after its discovery. The Anderson family is thankful for those who never lost hope.
“Nothing but gratitude and appreciation for everyone that’s helped and has provided this amazing gift of closure,” said Kevin.
With the remains finally being identified, it has put an end to a family's decades-long quest for answers.
“The search is over, the questions are answered and we can start a new chapter," Axel said. “He was an incredible person and that’s why we spent 20 years looking for him.”
