Authorities identify remains of missing hiker Kevin Rudnicki

Skeletal remains were found in a remote area in El Paso County Wednesday. On Tuesday, authorities say the remains are those of 20-year-old Kevin Rudnicki.

According to the Associated Press, authorities have said Rudnicki went for a hike on a Sunday in early September and did not return.

Rudnicki was studying watershed management at the University of Wyoming, where he was a junior. He wanted to work for the U.S. Forest Service after graduation.

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Deputies were dispatched to Balanced Rock Road and Forest Service Road 322 near Mount Herman, for reports of a suspicious incident.

Upon arrival, deputies located skeletal remains. The identity of the remains has not been released but will be released once a positive identification has been made by the Coroner’s Office.

According to the Help Find Kevin Rudnicki Facebook page, a post that was published Thursday morning, states Kevin’s remains were found in the mountains. Rudnicki was last seen on September 2 near Mount Herman.

Through a text message, Kevin’s mother, Melissa Reynolds Bass told KRDO, “Unofficially, I know it’s him. I was there and I saw him.”

She said it was Kevin’s brother and best friend who came across the remains in a search near Balanced Rock Road yesterday morning.

The Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of the death once they have received all the information.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it does not feel like there is any threat to the community at this time.

KRDO will bring you the latest updates on this investigation.