Mystery still surrounds remains found at Colorado ski resort

Officials have announced they were unable to figure out what caused the death of a man whose remains were discovered in a snow boot near Eldora Ski Resort last year.

The Boulder County Coroner’s Office said Thursday the cause and manner of 83-year-old Ervin Mettler’s death is undetermined.

The Denver man’s foot was found in a size 13 boot in June after the snow melted by a ski resort worker. In July, a trail runner found more remains about a mile from the resort’s lake near where Mettler is believed to have been camping.

Mettler’s identification card was also found and his identity was confirmed with dental records.

The remains had likely been in the locations where they were found for several months based on their conditions.