Missing Teen Discovered in Chimney Seven Years Later in Baffling Cold Case
When 18-year-old Joshua Maddux left his home for a walk, no one imagined it would become the start of one of Colorado’s most haunting missing person cases.
Seven years after he vanished, Joshua’s remains were found in an unexpected and disturbing location—inside a chimney—leaving investigators and his family with more questions than answers.
A Disappearance That Sparked an Urgent Search
Joshua Maddux was known as a creative, free-spirited teenager with a passion for music, writing, and the outdoors. He lived in Woodland Park, Colorado, with his father and two sisters, often spending time hiking alone in nearby Pike National Forest.
Despite enduring significant personal loss—including his parents’ divorce and the death of his older brother by suicide in 2006—those close to Joshua said he remained optimistic and full of curiosity about life.
On May 8, 2008, Joshua told his sister he was heading out for a walk, something he frequently did. This time, however, he never returned.
When days passed without contact, his father and friends searched the neighborhood and surrounding wooded areas. After five days, police were notified, launching a broader missing teen investigation. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement and volunteers, no trace of Joshua was found.
As months turned into years, the family held onto hope. They imagined he might have left voluntarily—traveling, writing, or living quietly somewhere new. Though grief from past tragedy lingered, Joshua had shown no clear signs of wanting to disappear.
A Shocking Discovery Years Later
In August 2015, nearly seven years after Joshua vanished, construction workers demolishing an abandoned cabin on Meadowlark Lane made a grim discovery.
Inside the cabin’s chimney, they found a mummified body wedged tightly in a fetal position. Dental records later confirmed the remains belonged to Joshua Maddux.
The cabin was located less than a mile from his home—just two blocks away.
Authorities reported that Joshua was wearing only a thin thermal shirt. His pants, shoes, and socks had been carefully folded and placed inside the cabin. Even more puzzling, a large wooden breakfast bar had been moved to block the chimney opening from the inside.
Conflicting Theories and Forensic Questions
An autopsy conducted by the Teller County Coroner found no signs of physical trauma, no broken bones, and no evidence of drugs. The initial conclusion suggested an accidental death, theorizing that Joshua may have entered the chimney and succumbed to hypothermia as nighttime temperatures dropped.
However, the cabin’s owner strongly disputed that explanation. He said the chimney had been fitted with a heavy wire mesh years earlier to prevent animals from entering, making it nearly impossible for someone to climb down from the top.
