A Texas laboratory has determined that the human bones found in the rubble of the burned Sister's Building on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation in February were of someone between 18 and 22, further substantiating a Sandpoint-area family's claims that their relative was the victim.

Jennifer Hepinstall said she believes the bones are of her nephew Daniel J. Uhnak, a 21-year-old missing since that time who was contacted by tribal police near the building prior to the fire.

"We'd like Daniel to be declared dead and want to get his remains back," Hepinstall said.

The FBI and Benewah County coroner Ron Hodge are working with the family to bring closure to the case. However, a court order will likely be required to turn the bones over to the family.

"This is unique," said Kevin Dunton, FBI special agent.

Hepinstall said the agencies are working on the situation "to the best of their ability, but it's an unusual situation."

The lab couldn't pull DNA from the bone fragments, which was the last hope to prove the victim was Uhnak with 100 percent certainty, Dunton said.

Randy Fairbrother, Uhnak's uncle, said Uhnak was hitchhiking from Sandpoint to Moscow to live with a friend when he went missing. He was contacted by police in freezing temperatures near the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's historic Sister's Building, formerly a school and most recently used for storage, before the fire.

"We think the family is probably right as far as it being their relative," Dunton said.

Remains found may be tied to missing man

By BRIAN WALKER/Staff writer

Kootenai County detectives are mum about whether there's evidence suggesting human bones found in August south of Rose Lake are those of a Spokane Valley man missing since last year who was last seen in that area during the summer of 2010.

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest on Wednesday issued a press release offering a cash reward for information regarding Terry Lynn Mattingly, 45, who has been missing since last year.

Investigators said Mattingly was reportedly in the Rose Lake area during the summer of 2010.

When asked if investigators have reason to believe it was Mattingly's bones that were found this summer, Lt. Stu Miller of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department said, "Can't say - detectives haven't said."

Miller said forensic identification of the bones hasn't been determined and he doesn't know when it will be. An anthropologist in Seattle is examining the bones - found by campers near the Coeur d'Alene River - for dating and possible identification.

Miller said there were no signs of foul play where the bones were found.

The KCSD would like to speak with those who may know about Mattingly's whereabouts. He was reported missing by his daughter on May 17, 2010.

Mattingly's daughter told police her father "was becoming increasingly paranoid about other family members" and had left his Spokane Valley home a week earlier, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

A Kellogg police officer found Mattingly's red Ford Tempo on Aug. 21, 2010, when he stopped its female driver, who said she'd bought the car from Mattingly a week earlier in the Rose Lake area.

Tips can be made by calling the (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by accessing the anonymous tip form at www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.