GERING, Neb. - Skeletal remains discovered last month at Scotts Bluff National Monument have been confirmed as those of Chance Englebert, the 25-year-old man who went missing from the Gering area in July 2019, officials said Wednesday.

The identification was confirmed through dental records and DNA testing, according to a joint press release from the Scotts Bluff County Attorney’s Office and the Gering Police Department. Family members and next of kin were notified prior to the public announcement.

Englebert’s remains were found Oct. 10 by two hikers on the north side of the monument, who reported what they believed to be human remains. Law enforcement immediately secured the area, and investigators later recovered items nearby that Englebert’s family recognized as belonging to him.

Experts in forensic dentistry, anthropology, archaeology and pathology from multiple agencies — including Physicians Laboratory in Douglas County, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Center for Human Identification in Fort Worth, Texas — assisted in the identification.

According to the Douglas County Coroner’s Office, Englebert died from “a pattern of blunt force trauma most consistent with a rapid deceleration event including, but not limited to, a fall from height.” His death was ruled accidental. Investigators determined the fall distance ranged between 130 and 290 feet.

Englebert disappeared on July 6, 2019, after reportedly leaving Gering on foot. Extensive searches and hundreds of investigative efforts over six years produced no credible leads until the recent discovery.

Multiple agencies from Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota and other states contributed to the long-term investigation.

Officials said no evidence suggests Englebert’s death was anything other than accidental.