‘Heartbreaking end’: Human remains found in mountain range identified as missing 16-year-old

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - Authorities in Arizona say the human remains found in a mountain range earlier this week are those of a missing teen.

Peoria police said the skeletal remains located in a north Phoenix mountain range near 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road on Monday were identified as 16-year-old Bradley Klose.

The teen was last alive in April and had been reported missing for five months.

Police said a person notified them of what they had found Monday morning in a remote spot of the Deem Hills Recreation Area.

Phoenix police then notified Peoria investigators that they were working on a death investigation.

Klose was last seen on April 8 in Peoria. According to investigators, the teen left his work that evening and was walking near 75th Avenue and Jomax Road around 6 p.m.

Klose’s family released a statement this week following his 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. Though this is not the outcome we had hoped for, we praise God for answering prayers and shining a light on Bradley. We would like to thank all of our friends, neighbors, the community and the Peoria police Department for not giving up on the search.”

Investigators said Klose was on the autism spectrum and his family was concerned for his safety because it was not typical behavior of him.

Peoria police are handling the investigation. Authorities said there does not appear to be any foul play or any suspicious circumstances regarding the teen’s death.

Klose’s cause of death will be determined by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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