Bones found near Crestone identified as human

CRESTONE — Bones found April 25 near Crestone were positively identified as human, according to the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).

According to the sheriff’s department, the remains had been scattered by family members who could not get to the North Crestone Trailhead due to the time of the year. An investigation was launched into the burned bones due to the way they were scattered along the side of the road.

“It was not the intent of the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office, Saguache County Coroner’s Office or Colorado Bureau of Investigation evidence team to disturb the final resting place,” according to sheriff’s office. “The Saguache County Sheriff is saddened that the final resting place of the deceased was disturbed.”

The county coroner was working with the family to return the remains.

The sheriff’s office said while they respect the ability of families to scatter ashes of loved ones in places that the family and friends of the deceased hold special to them, they request that ashes be placed in areas that are not noticeable to the traveling public.

A tip was received by the SCSO about 5:30 p.m. on April 25 about possible human bones being found along the road near the forest service gate to North Crestone Campground, also known as Saguache County Road 71.

In their original announcement, the SCSO said that “it is not believed that the bones are of Suzanne Morphew or Kristal Reisinger,” two people who are still missing in the region.