FORT TOTTEN — The Spirit Lake Tribe has reported the discovery of unidentified human remains during a family-organized search for missing Spirit Lake tribal member Isaac Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 16.

According to tribal information, the remains were discovered approximately 3:05 p.m. Hunt has been missing since March 2024. The location of the discovery is not being released at this time, and there is no confirmed connection between the remains and any individual.

According to the tribe’s release, the investigation is now under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Totten Police Department and other supporting law enforcement agencies.

The family of Hunt has asked the public for privacy as they await official findings, and will not be providing interviews or statements at this time, according to the tribe’s release.

Phyllis DuBois, Hunt’s aunt, reflected on the difficulties the family experienced sustaining the search for nearly two years, saying, “It has been hard to continue to ask for support…we were nearing two years, and many times we felt alone in this search. We are grateful for everyone who has stood with us, especially today.”

“We hold these families in our hearts every day,” Lonna Jackson-Street, Spirit Lake tribal chairwoman, said. “Their stories guide our work, and the Spirit Lake Tribe will continue supporting search efforts to ensure no one is forgotten.”