Authorities have confirmed that the human remains discovered near Manchester last fall belong to Brian Burns.
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office was notified on November 5th by pheasant hunters that human remains had been located in a grassy area of a field about one mile south of 1381 180th Street west of Manchester – about half a mile east of the intersection of 190th Street and 130th Avenue on private property. The area is about one mile southwest of Brian Burns’ home.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation were requested to assist, with the remains removed from the scene and transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for positive identification and autopsy.
At the time of discovery, authorities believed that the remains were likely those of 55-year old Brian “Farmer” Burns of Manchester. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office says it has been confirmed now through DNA testing that the remains belong to Burns.
Burns had last been seen ten years ago on December 19th, 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 – with numerous searches conducted – but he was never found. Authorities say the area where his remains were found was blanketed with a significant amount of snow just before he was reported missing.
In 2021 – eight years after Burns’ disappearance – Burns was declared legally dead, though Sheriff John LeClere said at the time that his case would still remain open.
Though his remains have been found, it’s still not known what led to Burns’ death. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding Brian Burns is asked to contact the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 927-3135.
