Human remains found last week east of Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest have been identified as 29-year-old Andrew Donald Chacon, a Pagosa Springs resident.

Undersheriff Tonya Hamilton of the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office said Chacon had not been reported missing, and authorities are investigating whether his family – which lives “on and off” in the area – was aware he was missing.

Hamilton also said a forensic investigation conducted Wednesday did not clarify how long Chacon’s remains were in the remote wilderness or whether foul play was involved in his death.

“Hopefully, next week we’ll have some more answers,” she said.

U.S. Forest Service workers discovered Chacon’s remains Aug. 23 in a remote area along Mill Creek Road (Forest Service Road 662), about six to eight miles from Colorado Highway 84.

According to a news release, a grid search found 69 locations of potential interest, and 52 items, which included clothing, shoes and sunglasses, were collected from the area.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call Detective Sgt. Warren Brown at 264-8499.

Chacon worked at Alley House Grille in Pagosa Springs about three or four years ago, a manager there said Thursday. Though she didn’t know Chacon in his personal life, Jaymie Gallegos said he was a hard worker.

“As an employee here, we all loved him,” Gallegos said. “He had a great attitude. We’re all pretty sad about it.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com