Skeletal remains found in snow boot at ski resort identified

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office has identified the human remains found inside a snow boot at a Colorado ski resort this summer.

The Daily Camera reports (http://bit.ly/2esy7O0) the remains have been identified as those of 83-year-old Ervin Mettler.

Authorities say the Denver man appeared to have been camping near Eldora Mountain Resort, but the cause and manner of his death haven’t yet been determined.

The leather, waterproof snow boot was found with a severed and decomposed foot inside on June 1. Coroner Emma Hall confirmed Tuesday the foot belonged to Mettler as well as additional skeletal remains found on July 16 about a mile from the resort.

Sheriff’s Cmdr. Mike Wagner says a friend tried to report Mettler missing in February but no report was taken because the friend wasn’t a family member.