MINTURN, Colo. – The remains of a body discovered at an abandoned campsite in Eagle County are believed to be those of a hiker who was reported missing on October 3, 2010.
James Nelson, 31, of Chicago, went missing during a five day, 25-mile hike of the Holy Cross Wilderness area near Minturn.
Nelson was reported missing by his fiancée when he failed to return from his trip.
Investigators found a notebook at the campsite that indicated he may have been suffering from altitude sickness at the time of his disappearance.
“Other items recovered at the site indicate that some of Nelson’s gear is missing,” said Jessie Mosher, with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. “Among the missing items are a camera, GPS unit, and a camp stove.”
The remains were turned over to the Eagle County Coroner’s Office for further analysis and identification.
If you think you may have any information about this incident, please call the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 328-8500 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at 970-328-7007, 1-800-972-TIPS, submit your tip online at www.tipsubmit.com, or text a tip from your cell phone by texting STOPCRIME plus your message to CRIMES (274637). If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspect involved, you could earn up to a $1,000 reward from the Crime Stoppers.