This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Skeletal remains found in Salt Lake County's Deaf Smith Canyon last month have been identified as Murray resident Kellie Josephson.

The 55-year-old woman had been reported missing to the Murray Police Department in June 2015, according to the Unified Police Department. The Utah State Medical Examiner's Office was able to identify the remains by comparing dental records, UPD officials said, avoiding the more time-consuming process of a DNA test.

A skull and scattered bones, along with a scrap of camouflage-patterned cloth, were recovered by officers and forensics experts March 19 along Little Willow Creek, in the canyon wedged between the larger Big and Little Cottonwood canyons in Salt Lake County.

Hikers came across the bones about 40 yards from a trail following the border of U.S. Forest Service land and the city of Cottonwood Heights, near 8800 South and 3700 East.

The bones were about 90 feet below a cliff but located on the opposite side of the creek from the canyon wall, so authorities could not be sure if a fall was involved in the death.

At the scene of the remains, UPD investigators found a syringe and three bottles of insulin. Two were full and one was empty, officials said.

An official cause of death determination is pending, UPD said.

Twitter: @lramseth