March 7, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Remains Found in Wells Gulch Identified
Mesa County, Colorado— On March 6, 2012 at approximately 12:30pm the Delta
County Sheriff’s Office received a report of human remains found in the Wells
Gulch area by a hiker. Delta County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in
recovering the skeletal remains from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the
Delta County Coroner’s Office, the Mesa County Coroner’s Office, and the Mesa
County Sheriff’s Office.
Forensic odontology has been used to tentatively identify the remains as
belonging to Paige Birgfeld of Grand Junction. A DNA comparison will be
requested through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to confirm these results.
The remains may be forwarded to a forensic anthropologist in an attempt to
identify any evidence of trauma.
Other personal items were found along with the remains and will be considered
for DNA testing based on past successes with trace evidence.
Paige Birgfeld was reported missing in a 2007 Mesa County Sheriff’s Office
Investigation that has since been classified as a homicide.
The Mesa County District Attorney’s Office continues to be informed of
developments in this case as they occur.
Investigators are continuing to search the Wells Gulch area for any clues that
would show how the body arrived in the area or any clues as to how Paige
Birgfeld died.
215 Rice Street Grand Junction Colorado 81501
www.sheriff/mesacounty.us
