In a tragic turn of events, the remains of Joshua Vernon Maddux were discovered in a chimney - less than a mile from his home in Colorado.
The teenager, who disappeared aged just 18 in 2008, looks to have tried to access a cabin via the chimney breast - and appears to have got stuck.
He was reported missing in May 2008, after he failed to return home.
His Dad Mike said: "I got up one morning and Josh was there, then he just never came home.
"The next day he still didn’t come home. I called all his friends. Nobody’s seen him. Nobody knows where he is. I didn’t know what to do so I called the police. He went missing on May 8 and I called police May 13, 2008."
Tragically, Josh was less than a mile from his home when he died, with police saying his body was found with his legs dislodged from his torso.
A large piece of furniture was blocking the fireplace, leaving him unable to escape that way.
Contractors discovered the teen's body as they prepared to tear down the abandoned cabin.