The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into a long-standing missing person case that has now led to the identification of human remains found in Golden Valley more than two decades ago.
Using advanced DNA technology, human remains located on October 22, 2000, in Golden Valley have been positively identified as Dennis Craig Edmondson, who was originally reported missing on February 18, 1998.
In January 2022, the cold case was reassigned to the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for further review. Investigators created and distributed updated flyers, encouraging community members to share any information related to the case. New DNA samples were collected from Edmondson’s family members and submitted to NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) for analysis.
During the renewed investigation, SIU detectives began to suspect that unidentified human remains discovered in October 2000 could belong to Edmondson. The remains had originally been found by teenagers in a desert area near Burro Road and Verde Drive in Golden Valley and were recovered by detectives at the time. Although dental records were examined in 2000, they did not provide a match.
Investigators later learned that the DNA samples from the remains were significantly degraded, making electronic comparisons extremely difficult. Due to this challenge, a manual DNA comparison was requested.
On February 24, 2026, investigators received confirmation from UNT Health that the remains were a familial DNA match to Edmondson, officially identifying him after 28 years.
While authorities are relieved to bring closure to one part of this decades-old mystery, the case now transitions into a death investigation. Investigators are exploring the possibility that Edmondson’s death was not due to natural causes.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact SIU Investigators at 928-753-0753 ext. 4408 and reference DR# 98-03894.
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