BOTTINEAU — The Bottineau County Sheriff’s Office announced this week that the remains of a person found on an area wildlife refuge last fall have been identified as John Stewart.

According to a news release, Stewart was reported missing in February 2024 from Willow City. During the investigation, it was found that the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office had found a vehicle belonging to Stewart in early February 2024. Searches were conducted but Stewart was not found. In October 2025, hunters on the J. Clark Sayler Wildlife Refuge at Upham found human remains. Earlier this month, the North Dakota Medical Examiner’s Office and the N.D. State Lab identified the remains as Stewart.