I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but I find it awfully suspicious that family members and friends found his personal belongings along with it being "partial remains". Especially after there was a huge manhunt for him conducted in that area. So hundreds of officers searched for a week and found nothing, but family friends "Betty and Barney" decide to stroll around and "PRESTO"! We found his backpack.

Obviously DNA testing will determine if it's actually him or not, but I also definitely wouldn't put it past his shitty family to help him try to fake his death either.