Remains of man who disappeared found in car almost 20 years since he was reported missing

The remains of a man who disappeared almost 20 years ago have been found submerged in a Utah reservoir.

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday (February 11) they had discovered the humans remains in a car found in the reservoir.

He has since been identified as Steven Willard Anderson, a 46-year-old man who went missing way back in 2004.

No foul play is suspected, and police officially closed then case on Tuesday, the sheriff's office confirmed.

KUTV reported that Anderson left home in Murray to make a lengthy, 200-mile trip to a cabin belonging to his family in Flaming George, Utah.

But his family never heard from him after he should have arrived, so his father ultimately went to the cabin to find him, but Anderson was nowhere to be seen.

The remains were found submerged in a car (Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office)

Local reports state Anderson had leased a vehicle to make the drive, though the Utah Department of Public Safety has said he disappeared without a trace.

His family reported him missing immediately, but it later became a cold case, leaving Anderson's family and friends in the dark as to what happened to him.

The cold case was picked up by Doug Bishop from United Search Corps, 'a nonprofit that specializes in missing person cases', who worked alongside Utah internet personality Dave Sparks to help uncover the truth.

CBS News reports the pair began making videos and worked with local authorities last spring in a bid for clarity.

And thanks to the work of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner and a private lab, officials were able to confirm it was Anderson's remains that had been found.

The man's son, Axel told Fox13: "[It’s] just been a wound that, you know has continuously been opened over the past 20 years just not knowing.

Anderson went missing in 2004 (Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office)

"It’s good to have some closure for the family and I’m excited for the future now. The search is over, the questions are answered and we can start a new chapter."

The sheriff's office said in a statement: "The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to Anderson’s family and thanks all agencies involved in the recovery process for their dedication and professionalism."

Meanwhile, Anderson's brother, Kevin, said: "It’s good to have some closure for the family and I’m excited for the future now.

"The finality of it all but also the closure of it all that provides all of us with the abilities to say, 'OK, this is what’s happened'.

"Nothing but gratitude and appreciation for everyone that’s helped and has provided this amazing gift of closure."