Yosemite officials identify remains of missing Navy man

Yosemite National Park rangers have positively identified the remains of Alexander Joseph Sevier, a visitor last seen in Yosemite Valley on May 3, according to authorities today.

Sevier, a member of the U.S. Navy, had been staying in Housekeeping Camp while at the park and was witnessed going out on daily hikes, according to park spokesman and ranger Scott Gediman.

Park Rangers, with the aid of search dogs and a California Highway Patrol helicopter, have searched for Sevier since he was reported missing. At the end of August, human remains were discovered near the banks of the Merced River below Vernal Fall. The remains were sent out for DNA testing, and were confirmed to be those of Sevier.

Sevier's family has been notified.

Yosemite National Park worked with several agencies during the investigation, including special agents of the National Park Service and Naval Criminal Investigation Service, the U.S. Navy, Mariposa County Sheriffs Office, CHP, trained search dogs from YODOGS, and forensic specialists from the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services.