WEST VALLEY CITY — Human remains found near a pond in West Valley City back in March have been identified as belonging to a man reported missing in 2017.
West Valley police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said on Friday that DNA testing showed the remains are those of Justin Hooiman, who was last seen on Nov. 20, 2017. He would have been 28 at the time he disappeared.
A person fishing in a pond near 4220 W. Lake Park Boulevard on March 25 spotted what appeared to be bones near the pond's edge, Vainuku said. An investigation began the day after the remains were found.
Hooian was living at Fortitude Treatment Center in Salt Lake City when he disappeared, family members said in a 2021 press conference. He was given in-and-out privileges at the treatment center, but he did not return one day after spending time outside.
Prior to the treatment center, he had spent time in jail for a drug-related crime, his family said. They said at the time, police believed his disappearance was suspicious and were investigating it as a possible homicide.
West Valley City police did not share any details about their investigation on Friday, including a possible cause of death.
