The remains of a teen who had gone missing seven years ago were found last month by contractors in the chimney of an abandoned cabin less than a mile from his Colorado home, officials revealed Wednesday.
The remains of 18-year-old Joshua Vernon Maddux were discovered last month at a cabin in Woodland Park, 17 miles northwest of Colorado Springs, reported Newsmax. However it wasn't until last week that dental records were able to identify him as the missing teen.
According to a statement from one of his sisters, Maddux was last seen in May 2008 after venturing out for a walk.
Teller Country Coroner Al Born believes Maddux was likely trying to shimmy down the chimney when he got stuck, reported the Associated Press. A belief supported by the fact that an autopsy revealed no signs physical injuries such as broken bones or gunshot wounds, and toxicology results didn't reveal any drugs in Maddux's system.
In light of these findings, Born said the death was ruled accidental, according to the New York Daily News.
"There was no indication of trauma that we could detect," he said. "It was likely accidental because there would be easier ways to commit suicide than climbing down a chimney."
The cabin's owner, Chuck Murphy, said he'd occasionally check on the cabin and chase away chipmunks, mice and raccoons that would occasionally make their way inside. He noted, however, that since a large piece of furniture blocked the fireplace, "there was no reason to look [inside]."
It's still unknown what Maddux was doing in the chimney, especially since he was described by his family as a good kid who did well in school.
"There are going to be some questions out there that are unanswerable," Born said.
