Nearly a year after she went missing, the remains of Gwen Brunelle have been found. The discovery was made on April 8, when a drone operator hired by her family spotted what appeared to be human remains.
The remains were recovered by authorities and sent to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office. On April 29 they were positively identified through dental records as belonging to Brunelle.
27 year old Gwen Brunelle was last seen in Boise, Idaho on June 26, 2023. She disappeared while on a road trip, and her car was later found abandoned near the Idaho/Oregon border. Her body was found about 2 miles away from where her vehicle was found, outside of the Sheriff’s search area.
Her family released the following statement;
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our daughter, Gwen Brunelle. Her remains were recovered in the high desert of Eastern Oregon in April, roughly ten months after her vehicle was found abandoned just off U.S. Highway 95 on Succor Creek Road. Gwen’s remains were located a little more than two miles from where her car was parked. The State of Oregon Medical Examiner confirmed the identification in late April. Exact cause of death is still being determined but we believe no foul play is suspected.”
The Disappearance of Gwen Brunelle
On June 26, 2023, Gwendolyn Brunelle left Boise, Idaho, for a road trip in her car, a 2008 Gray Honda Element with Idaho plate #5WT6X. She may have traveled as far south as McDermitt, Nevada.
On June 27, 2023, Brunelle was last seen at noon in Jordan Valley, Oregon, when she purchased gas at the Sinclair station. She then made a purchase at Mrs. Z’s convenience store on Main Street.
Gwendolyn Brunelle hasn’t been seen or heard from since.
Investigation
Before leaving home on June 26, Gwen told her boyfriend she was headed to California with 11 of her show rabbits to meet a show judge for training. The judge was later contacted, but said they had made no such arrangements.
On June 30, 2023, Brunelle’s vehicle was found abandoned at the pullout on Succor Creek Road, half a mile west of Highway 95 in Malheur County, Oregon. Her rabbits were found inside the car, but Gwen was nowhere to be found.
Gwen’s car was reportedly first seen at the pullout on the morning of June 28th.
Reports indicate that the pullout where Brunelle’s vehicle was found was vacant late in the afternoon of June 27.
Authorities conducted an extensive search in the area around Succor Creek Road with the help of a helicopter and volunteers, but found no signs of Gwendolyn.
Her family states she may have wandered off or been abducted. She may present as disoriented.
On July 11, 2023, Malheur County officials announced that they were suspending their search for Gwen until they find new information.
On September 10, 2023, a t-shirt belonging to Gwen was found stuck against a barbed wire fence, about a mile from where her car was found abandoned in June.
“This confirms that she’s most likely up that way rather than considering her being abducted,” said Sheriff Travis Johnson.
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