With heavy hearts, the Brigham City Police Department has confirmed that the human remains discovered earlier this year along a rural roadway belong to Brandy M. Hickey, a beloved woman from Southern Utah who had been missing since 2021.
The heartbreaking confirmation brings a somber close to years of uncertainty for Brandy’s family and friends, who had prayed endlessly for answers. Though the discovery has left many shattered, it has also reignited the pursuit of justice for a woman remembered for her compassion, her warmth, and her light that touched all who knew her.
On April 2, 2025, officers responded to reports of possible human remains located off a quiet stretch of road in Brigham City. The scene was quickly secured as investigators, forensic experts, and the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office began the delicate process of recovering and identifying the remains. Through DNA testing and meticulous examination, the remains were positively identified as those of Brandy Hickey—a woman who had vanished without a trace nearly four years earlier.
Brandy’s disappearance in 2021 had left her loved ones heartbroken and searching for answers. For years, family, friends, and community members in Southern Utah had organized search efforts, circulated missing person flyers, and kept her memory alive in the hope she would one day return home. Sadly, that hope has now turned into mourning.
In a statement, the Brigham City Police Department expressed its deepest condolences and reaffirmed its commitment to finding the truth about what happened to Brandy:
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the identity of the remains located on April 2, 2025, as Brandy M. Hickey out of Southern Utah. Our detectives have been in contact with her family and close friends as we continue to seek answers about what happened to her. Brandy had not been heard from since 2021, and this tragic development brings new urgency to our investigation.”
Investigators are continuing to follow leads and reconstruct Brandy’s final known whereabouts. They are appealing to the public for any information that might help determine how she came to be in Brigham City and who may be responsible for her untimely death. Law enforcement officials have not yet disclosed the cause of death but have confirmed that foul play is being considered.
Those who knew Brandy describe her as a gentle soul with a big heart, someone who would go out of her way to help others. She loved her family deeply and dreamed of a brighter future filled with love and stability. Her disappearance left a void that could never be filled—but now, her family finally has the opportunity to lay her to rest and honor her memory properly.
Brandy’s loved ones have expressed profound grief but also gratitude for the law enforcement officers and investigators who worked tirelessly to identify her remains. For them, the discovery marks both closure and the beginning of a new fight—a fight for justice.
“We will not stop until we understand how Brandy came to be here and who is responsible for taking her from those who loved her,” the Brigham City Police stated firmly.
As the investigation continues, the community stands united in remembrance of Brandy—holding vigils, sharing memories, and offering prayers for peace and healing. Her story is a painful reminder of the importance of never giving up hope and of standing by families searching for answers.
Anyone with information related to Brandy’s disappearance or the circumstances surrounding her death is urged to contact the Brigham City Police Department at (435) 734-6650, or submit information anonymously through Utah Crime Stoppers.
Though her life was tragically cut short, Brandy M. Hickey’s spirit will forever live on—in the hearts of her family, in the memories of her friends, and in the unwavering pursuit of truth by those determined to bring her justice.
Rest in peace, Brandy. Your light continues to shine, and you will never be forgotten.
