A forester, who was marking trees, called Rusk County Dispatch on Friday, May 8, 2026. He stated he may have discovered human bones.
Rusk County deputies, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigations responded.
According to Sheriff Phil Grassmann, law enforcement was led through the woods, and the suspected human bones were recovered. To confirm if they are human bones, and then to confirm the identity of the individual, law enforcement is working with a forensic anthropologist and the Rusk County Medical Examiner's Office.
Police expect that identification of the individual will be made from medical records.
UPDATED 5-20-2026
A forensic pathologist employed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigations confirmed, on May 20, 2026, that the bones found in the Blue Hills on Friday, May 8, were human bones. The bones were identified as Seth Miller of Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
Seth Miller, 35, was last seen in Bruce, Wisconsin on July 6, 2025, and his abandoned vehicle was found two days later on Dearhammer Road, northwest of Bruce. He was also reported missing that day.
A witness had reportedly seen a man standing by the driver's side door at approximately 6 p.m. on July 6, 2025. On the same day, another witness saw a man walking westbound.
According to the Rusk County Sheriff's Office, the case is still under investigation.