Authorities have confirmed that human remains discovered in Wolf Creek in August 2018 belong to Jake A. Wilson, a La Porte City teenager who had been missing for more than four months.
Jake, who was 16 years old at the time, was reported missing after leaving his home one evening for a walk near Wolf Creek and never returning. Diagnosed with autism, Jake functioned at a younger developmental level, according to his family. His disappearance sparked an extensive search effort involving more than 100 federal, state, and local agencies.
On August 14, 2018, recreational kayakers discovered human remains in and around the Wolf Creek waterway near the area where Jake was last seen. While officials initially stated that positive identification would take time, evidence recovered at the scene—including clothing—closely matched what Jake was wearing when he disappeared.
Family members later shared that investigators had informed them the evidence was consistent with Jake, bringing them a measure of closure despite the tragic outcome.
“We’re comforted in many ways that it has come to a conclusion,” Jake’s grandfather said at the time. “It wasn’t the conclusion we wanted, but he’s with God.”
On August 29, 2018, La Porte City Police confirmed through forensic testing conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation State Laboratory that the remains were Jake’s. Officials noted that while the identification brought answers to one question, others remain unresolved.
Police and sheriff’s officials stated that the exact circumstances surrounding Jake’s death may never be fully known. Investigators continue to review evidence, though authorities acknowledged the limitations they face given the passage of time and environmental conditions.
Jake’s disappearance deeply affected the La Porte City community and drew statewide and national attention. Throughout the search, his family remained active, distributing flyers, searching creek banks, and holding onto hope that he would be found alive.
Anyone with information related to Jake Wilson’s disappearance or death is encouraged to contact the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office or the La Porte City Police Department.
