Mojave County, Arizona — Advanced DNA testing has helped authorities identify a man found dead in the Mojave County desert two years ago.

Christopher Canning of Golden Valley was reported missing by his family on May 15, 2021, according to a Mojave County Sheriff’s Office press release.

His body was found in a remote desert area near Pioneer Drive and Laguna Road on October 10, 2021, and the Mojave County coroner’s office was unable to identify him at the time.

Two years later, in March 2023, the MCSO Special Investigations Unit sent a sample of his remains to Osram for genetic testing. They managed to identify Canning by the end of July.

“While the condition of the body at the time of its discovery has prevented an official cause of death from being determined, there is no suspicion of foul play,” the MCSO said.

Mr. Canning was 60 at the time of his death.

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