CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) — The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed human remains found in rural Delaware County in November, are those of a man who had been missing since 2013. On Nov. 5, 2023, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded one mile south of the 1300 block of 180th Street for a report that human remains had been located in a field just west of Manchester by some pheasant hunters.

The remains were removed from the scene and taken to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for identification. Officials believed at that time they were those of Brian “Farmer” Burns, who was reported missing back on Dec. 23, 2013. Now, officials have confirmed that they are those of Burns.

Brian “Farmer” Burns

Brian Burns was the cousin of Jerry Burns, who was convicted of killing Michelle Martinko. At the time Jerry Burns was arrested in 2018 for the murder of Martinko, TV9 asked the Delaware County Sheriff’s office if Jerry Burns was connected to Brian Burns’ disappearance. Delaware County Sheriff John LeClere said in a statement back in 2018, “We are reviewing the case and at this time have not uncovered any additional information that would implicate Jerry Burns in that disappearance.”

The incident remains under investigation.