Human remains have been discovered near Manchester – and authorities believe they could belong to Brian Burns.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced the recent discovery and investigation on Wednesday afternoon.
The Sheriff’s Office says they were notified on Sunday, November 5th by pheasant hunters that human remains had been located in a field about one mile south of 1381 180th Street west of Manchester.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation were requested to assist. The remains were removed from the scene and transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
Positive identification of the remains still has not been made, but authorities believe that the remains are those of 55-year old Brian “Farmer” Burns of Manchester.
Burns was last seen nearly ten years ago on December 19, 2013 at his home northwest of Manchester. He was reported missing by a family member a few days later on December 23rd, 2013. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help in locating Burns, but he was never found.
In 2021 – eight years after Burns’ disappearance – a jury trial was held in Delaware County District Court, with his brother, Randy Burns, appearing with his attorney to petition for the legal declaration of death. Sheriff John LeClere said at the time that even though Burns had been declared legally dead, his case would still remain open.
The incident remains under investigation by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Anyone with information regarding Brian Burns is asked to contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 927-3135.
