Authorities have announced the long-awaited identification of human remains discovered 33 years ago in a remote mountain pass in Colorado. Through modern forensic tests, the remains have been confirmed to belong to Steven Kenneth Risku, a man in his mid-30s from Indiana at the time of his death.
The discovery was initially made on Wolf Creek Pass in the San Juan Mountains of southern Colorado back in 1991. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation, in collaboration with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Wolf Creek Pass, diligently pursued the cold case investigation.
Utilizing genetic genealogy, dental records, and various investigative techniques, they successfully identified Risku’s remains. Despite this significant breakthrough, the circumstances surrounding Risku’s death remain unclear.
Colorado Mountains (Credits: People)
Wolf Creek Pass has a reputation for hazardous road conditions and fatal accidents, raising questions about whether foul play was involved in Risku’s demise.
Risku’s family disclosed that he occasionally traveled from Indiana to California, highlighting his adventurous nature and love for the outdoors. However, the reasons for his presence in the remote Colorado mountains remain a mystery.
Mineral County Sheriff Terry Wetherill emphasized the importance of this identification in providing closure to Risku’s family while urging anyone with information regarding his presence on Wolf Creek Pass to come forward.
The sheriff’s office has appealed to the public for assistance in unraveling the circumstances surrounding Risku’s untimely death. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Mineral County Sheriff’s Office at 719-658-2600.
The identification of Steven Kenneth Risku marks a significant step towards bringing closure to his family and shedding light on the circumstances of his disappearance and demise in the remote wilderness of Colorado.
