Residents of Woodland Park, Colorado, are still haunted by the strange and tragic death of teenager Joshua Maddux.

In May 2008, the 18-year-old left his family home for a short walk and never returned. His father searched shelters and campsites, while his sister Kate tried to believe he had gone off to start a new life elsewhere. However, the years passed with no sign of him.

Seven years later, in 2015, workers began demolishing an old cabin about a mile from the family home. They noticed a strong odor and moved a large piece of furniture that blocked the fireplace. Behind it, they found neatly folded clothes that matched Joshua’s. Inside the chimney itself, they discovered human remains.

The body was so decomposed it had to be identified through dental records and a childhood injury to his finger. Joshua’s position suggested he had entered the chimney head-first, possibly trying to get into the locked cabin.

There were unsettling details. A metal cap reportedly covered the top of the chimney. Joshua wore only a thermal shirt, while the rest of his clothing lay inside the cabin.

After an autopsy and full investigation, officials ruled the death an accident caused by exposure and hypothermia. The coroner admitted that several aspects of the case still did not make sense.

For Joshua’s family, the discovery brought sorrow but also a measure of closure. They could finally lay him to rest, even though the full story of his final moments may never be known.