LA GRANDE, OR. — Authorities have identified skeletal remains discovered on private property last year as those of a man reported missing in 2016, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The remains were found by a local landowner in October 2024. Due to their condition, the remains were initially unidentifiable and were sent to the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

This month, investigators were able to confirm the identity through dental records following a dental extraction conducted at OSP’s forensic anthropologist’s office. The remains were matched to Christopher Flammang, born October 24, 1986.

According to authorities, Flammang was reported missing in 2016 and was listed as transient at the time. He was last seen in Pendleton. His family has been notified.

The sheriff’s office credited the Union County District Attorney’s Office and Oregon State Police for their collaboration in the investigation.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of death has not been determined.