Remains identified as 28-year-old who vanished nearly two years ago, Wyoming cops say
Nearly two years after a 28-year-old woman vanished, her remains have been identified, Wyoming deputies say.
With the help of dental records, the remains found in Washakie County on March 23 were identified as Breanna Mitchell, who went missing in July 2023, Washakie County Sheriff Austin T. Brookwell said in a Facebook post.
Brookwell announced the remains’ identification “with profound sadness.”
“We recognize the grief and uncertainty that Breanna’s family and friends have endured,” Brookwell wrote. “While this identification may bring some measure of closure, we remain committed to seeking answers if new information comes to light.”
Search for missing 28-year-old
Mitchell was last heard from when her car got stuck in “rugged terrain near Nowater Trail in Worland,” about 165 miles northwest of Casper, on July 22, 2023, according to a missing person’s flier shared by the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office and Worland Police Department on Facebook.
Afterward, Mitchell’s family could not reach her, Brookwell said in a July 24, 2023, Facebook post, adding that her phone was shut off.
During the initial days of searching, Brookwell said her car was found on a dirt road 2 miles off Nowater Trail.
Brookwell said deputies also found “footprints that led about 1,000 yards short of Nowater Road” but that the tracks couldn’t be followed any farther.
Again, a number of agencies and volunteers searched for Mitchell on July 25, 2023, but she was still not located, according to Brookwell.
Brookwell said the sheriff’s office planned to send a bloodhound crew the following morning to search a spot where a boot and shirt were found.
Though a bloodhound did detect a few places “she may have been,” Mitchell was still not found on July 26, 2023, Brookwell said.
In addition to searching the area, the sheriff’s office followed up on leads and conducted interviews, Brookwell said.
“We are treating this as more than just a missing person,” Brookwell said, “just because we do not know exactly what happened yet.”
Mitchell’s car was towed from the road to “search for possible clues” into her disappearance, Brookwell said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation agreed to help with Mitchell’s case, Brookwell said.
“They have better technology to assist with managing data and better training when it comes to missing individuals,” Brookwell said.
Brookwell said the sheriff’s office got warrants to search Mitchell’s “cellular phone data, social media data, and email data.”
He said deputies wanted to use the information to help paint a better picture as to whom she was in contact with in the days prior to her disappearance.
“To the family of Breanna we understand this situation is extremely frustrating, very confusing, and very depressing,” Brookwell said.
No answers a year later
On the one-year anniversary of her disappearance, Brookwell wrote in a Facebook post that Mitchell still had not been found.
“We have looked into many tips and followed many potential leads but came up with nothing,” he said. “We still have no credible information to indicate foul play.”
In the year following her disappearance, Brookwell said deputies continued to search for her and were assisted by a number of agencies, including the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, FBI, Bureau of Land Management, Worland Fire Department and volunteers.
“We still have not had any updates to provide to her family. Which is not something we ever want for a case like this,” Brookwell said.
Body found and ID’d
Months later, Washakie County Coroner Jeff Lapp positively identified remains found north of where Mitchell’s car got stuck as hers, according to Brookwell.
Her cause of death has not yet been determined, Brookwell said.
“We understand that speculation may arise within the community, but we urge everyone to remember that this case involves a loved daughter, mother, sister, and friend,” Brookwell said. “Out of respect for Breanna and her loved ones, we ask for patience and understanding.”
An investigation into Mitchell’s case is ongoing, Brookwell said.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Remains identified as 28-year-old who vanished nearly two years ago, Wyoming cops say."
