Everett+Ruess+Mystery+Remains+Unsolved


 * Everett Ruess Still Missing

** A Utah Archaeologist believes that the bones found on Comb Ridge are not those of Everett Ruess. He reasons that the recovered lower jawbone and teeth do not match up with Ruess’ dental records, and he also suggests that the wear pattern on the teeth is similar to a pattern more common on Native American teeth.

The remains had already been shipped to the Ruess family for disposal, but with the news of the remains possibly belonging to a Native American, Ruess’ surviving family decided to complete some further testing.

The new DNA tests were conducted by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab in Maryland. The DNA from the remains was compared to samples of Ruess’s male descendants, and a “chromosomal characteristic unique to males in Ruess’ family” was absent in the remains (Berkes).

On top of the new findings, the experts at the University of Colorado that conducted the original tests were unable to reproduce their results a second time. They agree with the new conclusions by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab.

The new results are a big disappointment to the relatives in the Ruess family, but they are glad the remains are being returned to their rightful place in the Navajo Nation.

To David Roberts from National Geographic, the new findings mean the grave they found was not Everett’s, but he still believes in the story about the murder at Chinle Wash.

For now, the mystery remains unsolved…

Berkes, Howard. “Mystery Endures:Remains Found Not Those Of Artist”. //National Public Radio//. October 24th 2009. 12/08/2009. < [] >
 * Works Cited:**

“Everett Ruess With Dog”. Photograph. //Los Angeles Times//. May 3rd 2009. 12/08/2009. 

McGhee, Tom. “Utah bones aren’t those of wandering poet Everett Ruess after all”. //The Denver Post//. October 22nd 2009. 12/08/2009. < []>