Human remains recently found in a remote part of a hilly Phoenix recreation area have been identified as those of a 16-year-old autistic boy from Peoria who was reported missing five months ago, authorities said Thursday.
Peoria police said there were no signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances related to Bradley Klose’s death.
Klose was last seen alive on April 8 when he left his job at a supermarket in Peoria, according to police.
Klose’s family said the teenager left his cell phone and wallet in his locker after work and that was unusual.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement that Klose was considered an “endangered youth due to being on the autism spectrum” and authorities searched without success for weeks.
CBS affiliate KPHO-TV reported that earlier this week, authorities responded to an “unknown problem” call, and a witness in the area led authorities to the human remains at a remote location in the Deem Hills Recreation Area, located about 4 miles east of Klose’s workplace.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the boy but did not immediately determine the cause of death.
KPHO-TV reported that Klose’s family released a statement following the positive identification: “This is a heartbreaking end to the search for Bradley. Our family is in mourning and kindly asks for privacy as we work through this difficult time. Although this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we praise God for answering prayers and shining a light on Bradley. We want to thank all our friends, neighbors, the community and the Peoria Police for not giving up the search.”