Human remains believed to be those of man who went missing 10 years ago

MANCHESTER — Human remains found in rural Delaware County are believed to be those of a man who was reported missing 10 years ago.

Pheasant hunters reported finding human remains Nov. 5, in a field about one mile south of 1381 180th St., west of Manchester, according to a news release from the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.

The remains were transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and an autopsy. While positive identification still has not been made, investigators believe the remains are those of Brian Burns, a 55-year-old man who was last seen at his home, 1381 180th St., on Dec. 19, 2013. He was reported missing four days later.

Two years ago, Burns’ family asked that he be declared dead, according to reporting by the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. Courts records show Burns’ brother, Randy Burns, filed the petition to have Brian Burns declared dead. He cited circumstances including Brian Bruns’ disabilities, and the weather at the time of his disappearance as ”reasonable grounds he suffered death from accidental or other violent means.“

A jury of six people found that there was sufficient evidence to presume Brian Burns was dead.

Brian Burns is a cousin of Jerry Burns, the Manchester man who was convicted in 2018 of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Michelle Martinko in 1979.

The discovery of the human remains still is under investigation by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Anyone with information about Brian Burns is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 563-927-3135.