By Mary O’KEEFE

Burbank police have identified the body discovered near the Verdugo Mountains area as FBI Special Agent Stephen Ivens.

On Monday evening, two hikers walking in the foothills above Burbank smelled a suspicious odor in the 3600 block of Scott Road. The hikers checked the area and discovered what appeared to be human remains and contacted the Burbank Police Department. Investigators responded to the location and found consistencies with the physical description of Ivens, according to a Burbank police statement.

The search for Ivens, 35, began in May when he was reported missing by family members near his home in the 1700 block of Scott Road in Burbank. Ivens was described as despondent and possibly suicidal.

It appeared that Ivens had left his home on foot and officials thought he might have hiked into the Verdugo Mountains area. His service handgun was unaccounted for at the time of his disappearance.

“A weapon was found at the scene,” said Laura Eimiller, FBI spokeswoman of Monday’s discovery.

The search for Ivens was intensive, gathering volunteers and law enforcement from several agencies including Montrose Search and Rescue out of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“Although the search has primarily been focused in the Burbank foothills, we have enlisted the public’s help throughout Southern California,” said Sgt. Darin Ryburn, Burbank Police spokesman, at the time of the initial search.

His wife held a press conference concerning the search, and a Facebook page, “Let’s Bring Steve Home,” was established. The official search ended several days after Ivens was reported missing, however volunteers and family members continued to look for him throughout the area.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the official identification as Ivens, nor has it released the cause of death.

  Mary Okeefe