SALT LAKE CITY — Recently, the remains of a man who had been missing since he left for his family’s cabin over 20 years ago were discovered in a submerged vehicle located in a Utah reservoir.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday that the human remains retrieved from a reservoir in Duchesne County last year have been identified as belonging to Steven Willard Anderson, who was 46 at the time of his disappearance in 2004.

DNA analysis conducted by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, along with a private laboratory, confirmed Anderson’s identity. Authorities believe no foul play was involved in his death, and the sheriff’s office stated that the case has been officially closed, bringing closure to a family that has endured uncertainty for many years.

“It has been an ongoing wound for the past 20 years without any clarity,” Anderson’s son, Axel, expressed to FOX 13 News. “Having this resolve allows our family to find closure, and I look forward to what lies ahead.”

Anderson’s family noted that he was driving a rented vehicle toward their family cabin at Flaming Gorge for some painting work but never made it to his destination, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety.

The case, previously considered cold, drew the interest of Doug Bishop from United Search Corps, a nonprofit group specializing in locating missing persons, and Utah entrepreneur Dave Sparks. Together, they shared their search journey through videos on YouTube and began collaborating with law enforcement in the previous spring.

On September 29, 2024, United Search Corps located a submerged SUV approximately 50 feet below the surface of Starvation Reservoir. Authorities were able to retrieve the 2001 Toyota Sequoia and later confirmed it was the leased vehicle belonging to Anderson. His family feels a sense of relief, knowing that they received confirmation on his identification and that his death was not the result of foul play, enabling them to begin the healing process.