GERING - Law enforcement officials say items found with human skeletal remains discovered last week near Scotts Bluff National Monument have been identified by family members as belonging to Chance Englebert, a Moorcroft, Wyoming man missing since 2019.

The Gering Police Department confirmed Thursday several personal belongings located during searches were recognized by Englebert’s family. The remains were discovered Friday on the north side of the monument property, prompting a large-scale search involving multiple agencies.

According to police, the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in Omaha will oversee forensic examinations of dental records, DNA and other materials to confirm the identity of the remains. The process will include a forensic pathologist and scientists from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Authorities said the examination has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place soon. A positive identification will not be made until forensic testing is complete.

The discovery has renewed attention to Englebert’s disappearance, which has remained under active investigation since he was last seen in Gering on July 6, 2019.

Local and federal agencies continue to assist in the ongoing investigation.