Watch CBS News

Human Remains Found Could Be Missing Mountain Bike Pioneer

By Matt Kroschel

SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Investigators are trying to determine the identity of human remains discovered in rural Saguache County last week.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation officials confirm with CBS4 their team assisted in the recovery of human remains located between Highways 17 and 285 located in Saguache County.

mike-rust
Mike Rust (credit: CBS)

The investigative efforts have shifted to the identification of the remains by the team.

But many people in the part of rural Southwest Colorado believe the remains could belong to Mike Rust, a mountain biking pioneer who disappeared in 2009.

Rust's family hopes the discovery will bring them some closure. Rust vanished after a burglary at his home.

SAGUACHE REMAINS FOUND map mike rust

"Mike caught up to whoever these guys were and there was some kind of an altercation and he took the bad end of it," a friend of Rust's told CBS4 last April.

Four days after his disappearance a vest and the butt of a gun were found near Rust's driveway. Both had Rust's blood on them.

mike-rust
A missing poster for Mike Rust (credit: CBS)

A $25,000 reward netted few leads.

Matt Kroschel covers news throughout Colorado working from the CBS4 Mountain Newsroom. Send story ideas to mrkroschel@cbs.com and connect with him on Twitter @Matt_Kroschel.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.