In a case that spanned over five decades, the remains of a college student who vanished in 1973 have finally been identified by DNA.

The discovery brings long-awaited answers to a grieving family and closure to Utah’s only known cold case.

Disappearance of Douglas Brick in 1973

Douglas Brick, a 23-year-old senior at the University of Utah and native of Pocatello, Idaho, disappeared without a trace on October 12, 1973.

He was last seen leaving his dorm, and his car was later found abandoned in the foothills near the university. No other evidence emerged—until now.

“It seemed impossible that he could ever be found,” the University of Utah noted in a news release. “After 51 years, six months, and 19 days, the University of Utah Police finally has some answers.”

A Cold Case Reopened Through Chance and Determination

The breakthrough began in 2022 when Nikol Mitchell, a crime data analyst with Utah’s Statewide Information and Analysis Center, reopened the case.

By pure coincidence, Major Heather Sturzenegger of the University Police mentioned the investigation to her daughter’s doctor—Steve Warren—who revealed he had been Brick’s roommate in 1973 and was the one who first reported him missing.

“I can still picture him in his glasses, going to class with his hard-cased briefcase,” Warren recalled. “I never forgot one thing about it.”

This pivotal connection reignited the search in the right area, restoring lost knowledge about where Brick’s car—and perhaps Brick himself—had last been.

Family Reacts when Douglas Brick Identified by DNA 

In early 2024, hunters discovered skeletal remains in the foothills near the university. On April 30, a lab confirmed that DNA from a skull fragment matched a living relative of Brick.

On May 3, Brick’s family was notified of the match.

“We never stopped hoping for answers,” the family said in a statement. “While sad, this result is nothing short of a miracle.”

Brick’s brother, David Brick, told ABC4 News that his brother’s reasons for vanishing remain unclear. “We really don’t know why he just took off and disappeared,” he said.

The Investigation Continues

The motive behind Brick’s disappearance remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact University Police at 801-585-2677.