Just shy of two years ago, 19-year-old farmer Dylan Rounds went missing from his Utah land after planting his first crop. His remains were found by local investigators and the FBI in a remote area of Lucin, Utah, 200 miles from Salt Lake City. Dylan’s mother, Candice Cooley, expressed sadness over the discovery of her son’s remains and the pain her family has endured. A plea deal was reached, leading to the recovery of Dylan’s remains by the FBI. The family had been preparing for this discovery after a month of negotiations, with prosecutors and the defense agreeing to a three- to 30-year prison sentence in exchange for revealing the location of Dylan’s remains.
James Brenner, a squatter who was charged with Rounds’ murder, had been named as a suspect shortly after Dylan’s disappearance. He led detectives to the teen’s remains as part of a plea deal. Law enforcement spent months searching for Dylan, using various resources like K-9s, drones, helicopters, ATVs, and horses, but were unable to locate him. Brenner was arrested on federal firearms charges and found to have shot another man in Maryland in the 1980s. As part of their search for Rounds, investigators served multiple search warrants, leading to the recovery of a video on Dylan’s phone allegedly showing Brenner wearing bloody clothes and cleaning a gun. DNA evidence confirmed Rounds’ DNA on Brenner’s shirt, further linking him to the crime.
Cooley described her son as dedicated to his farm and not involved in drugs, video games, or social media. Brenner, who was described as an “acquaintance” of Dylan but not a friend, had a criminal history including prior convictions for felon in possession of a firearm. He had been living on a plot of land next to Rounds’ farm without permission. The family had conducted private searches in the area around Dylan’s last known phone ping, but it was Brenner who ultimately led the FBI to the location where they found Dylan’s remains. The discovery brought some closure to the family, but they continue to seek answers about what happened to Dylan on that fateful day.
The Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to Dylan Rounds’ family for their loss and offered sympathy during this difficult time. They acknowledged the pain of losing a family member and expressed hope that the family can find peace moving forward. While the discovery of Dylan’s remains brings some closure, Cooley emphasized the need for Utah to enact stiffer penalties, especially after hearing of a rejected proposal that would have resulted in a much shorter prison sentence for Brenner. Family and friends continue to mourn the loss of the young farmer while seeking justice for his untimely death.
The teenage farmer’s last known contact was with his grandmother, telling her that he needed to put his grain truck in the shed before it rained. Brenner, who was charged with Rounds’ murder last year, has agreed to a plea deal in his federal firearms case. The discovery of Dylan’s phone and the incriminating video on it, as well as the recovery of Brenner’s shirt with Rounds’ DNA on it, have reinforced the evidence against Brenner. The search for Rounds spanned months and involved multiple law enforcement agencies, ultimately leading to the recovery of his remains and closure for his family. The emotional toll of the ordeal has been significant for Cooley, who is advocating for stronger penalties to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
As investigators continue to piece together the events leading to Dylan Rounds’ disappearance and murder, the family remains determined to find answers and seek justice. The discovery of Dylan’s remains and the evidence linking Brenner to his death have provided some closure, but Cooley and her family are focused on understanding what happened on the day Dylan went missing and holding those responsible accountable. With Brenner’s agreement to a plea deal, the legal process moves forward, but the emotional wounds caused by Dylan’s tragic death will take time to heal. The support and sympathy from law enforcement and the community have been a source of comfort for the Rounds family during this challenging time.
