Overview
- Partially skeletonized remains found June 2, 1998, in the Hogsprings area of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were entered as a Garfield County John Doe and have now been identified as 31-year-old Pedro Calderon Marioni.
- Investigators recovered many personal items at the 1998 scene, including cowboy boots, a calf-roping belt buckle, a Ford truck key and a long-distance calling card, which suggested the man may have been traveling between the El Paso area and Los Angeles.
- In July 2024 the sheriff’s office sent evidence to Othram for advanced forensic genetic genealogy, which produced a DNA profile that generated family leads for detectives to follow.
- After a follow-up probe that included interviews and searches across state lines, investigators collected a DNA sample from a possible sister in May 2026 and the comparison produced a positive identification.
- Garfield County detectives describe the death as suspicious and say the investigation remains active as they seek information about Marioni’s last movements, associates and the circumstances that led to his death while family members receive long-awaited answers.