UPDATE: Remains found in chimney identified as missing Woodland Park teen

The Teller County coroner’s office says remains that were found in a chimney last month belonged to a young man who disappeared seven years ago.

Joshua Maddux was 18 when he vanished in May of 2008. His remains were found in a chimney attached to a cabin that was being torn down in August.

Maddux’s death has been ruled accidental.

Joshua’s father, Mike Maddux, tells KRDO NewsChannel 13 that his son was a kind, intelligent and caring young man who excelled academically. He said Joshua’s loss is deeply felt by the family.

His sister Ruth Maddux echoed similar thoughts, saying her brother was incredibly kind.

“Definitely one of the nicest people I have ever met, probably that I will ever meet,” said Ruth Maddux.

Ruth Maddux said her brother had just turned 18 when he went missing. Ruth said he brother liked to travel and his family initially thought he was a young adult trying to be on his own. However, no one heard from Josh, and days turned into years.

“We thought, maybe he is just traveling. But then we thought, he should be back by now,” said Ruth Maddux.

Josh’s niece Liora Maddux said the family never gave up and continued to look for him.

“We did hold out a lot of hope for him,” said Liora.

“It’s a nightmare, it’s horrible. It’s so hard to deal with every day but you know, you don’t really have a choice,” said Ruth Maddux.

After learning her brother’s remains were found in a chimney, Ruth said she thinks her brother was looking for a place to hang out and tried to get into the empty cabin.

“I still have a lot of unanswered questions about it, it still seems very weird to us,” said Ruth Maddux.

“Maybe he didn’t want to be gone for too long? Maybe he just wanted some time away,” said Liora Maddux.

Liora and Ruth said the news has been incredibly hard to hear. Still, it offers a little closure.

“At least now we have some closure and can give him the proper burial that he deserves,” said Ruth Maddux. “We can stop looking for him now. It’s not what we wanted, obviously, he wanted him to come home. But at least now we can stop looking.”

Services have been scheduled for Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at Woodland Park Community Church.

The coroner’s office says Joshua Maddux was identified through dental records with the help of a forensic odontologist.