Authorities have identified the human remains discovered earlier this month in Hilltown Township as a Bucks County man who had been missing since last year.
According to Bucks County Coroner Patricia Campi, the remains were positively identified through dental records as John Carper, 40, of Bucks County. Officials said Carper also had ties to both New Jersey and California.
Carper had been reported missing in September 2025 after his father filed a missing persons report.
The remains were discovered on April 18 near the intersection of Route 313 and Webb Drive by volunteers with the Pennridge Area Republican Club during a roadside cleanup effort.
Investigators said the remains were located in a culvert near the roadway. Additional items recovered in the area reportedly included personal belongings and other objects that may be relevant to the investigation.
Police later expanded the search area and located additional remains further along the nearby waterway.
At this time, the Bucks County Coroner’s Office has not released an official cause of death or estimated time of death.
Hilltown Township Police have indicated investigators are examining the possibility that the death may have been self-inflicted, though the investigation remains ongoing pending final findings from the coroner’s office.
Anyone with additional information related to the case is asked to contact Hilltown Township Police.
