RUDY, Ark.—Descendants of early Mormon leader Parley Parker Pratt who was murdered in Arkansas 151 years ago feel certain they found his burial site after years of research and scientific study.

But a four-day archeological dig that ended Tuesday did not turn up any “identifiable human remains” to carry out Pratt’s dying wish to be buried in Utah.

Family spokesman Robert J. Grow of Salt Lake City, who attended the dig, said Wednesday that descendants knew there was a possibility Pratt’s remains would not be found because of the age of the burial site, its shallow depth, and moisture captured in the clay soil.

At least now, he said, descendants will know they have done everything humanly possible to honor Pratt’s request.

“We were digging in his grave but Parley’s remains are now part of the soil of Arkansas,” Grow said.

Pratt was chosen by Joseph Smith as one of the first Mormon apostles. A religious writer and missionary, he also counseled Brigham Young. During a mission in the Southeast, he was hunted down by Californian Hector McLean, whose estranged wife Eleanor was Pratt’s twelfth wife.

Although an Arkansas judge had cleared Pratt of ruining McLean’s marriage, McLean shot and stabbed the preacher to death outside Van Buren in western Arkansas. Pratt died May 13, 1857, and was buried in a local family’s cemetery.