Mystery of College Student Missing for More Than 50 Years Gets Answers

Jenna Sundel, a Newsweek journalist from New Jersey, specializes in covering breaking news, crime, and court-related stories. Having started at Newsweek in 2024, she previously worked at The Messenger and is an alumna of Montclair State University. You can reach out to Jenna via email at j.sundel@newsweek.com or find her on X @jennajournalist. She is fluent in English.

The University of Utah has confirmed that skeletal remains discovered last year belong to a missing college student from more than 50 years ago. The skull fragments found near Black Mountain in 2024 were determined to be a 99.9 percent genetic match to Douglas Brick, who vanished in 1973. Brick, a physics student at the University of Utah, was 23 years old when he was last seen leaving his dorm room on October 12, 1973.

After reopening Brick’s case in 2022, University Police Major Heather Sturzenegger and Detective Jon Dial worked tirelessly to solve the mystery. With limited information and no leads, they eventually connected with Brick’s sister in 2018, who provided a DNA sample that ultimately led to the identification of the remains. The breakthrough came when Dr. Steve Warren, a former classmate of Brick, revealed crucial information about his disappearance, leading to the discovery of the remains.

Following the confirmation of Brick’s identity, his family expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the case and asked for privacy during this time. This development brings closure to a long-standing mystery, with Brick’s family relieved to finally have answers about his disappearance.

The University of Utah community and law enforcement officials involved in the investigation have shared their thoughts on the case, expressing a mix of emotions ranging from relief to personal connections to Douglas Brick. The discovery of the remains marks a significant milestone in resolving a decades-old cold case.

If you have a story suggestion for Newsweek or questions about this article, you can contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.