FREESTONE COUNTY, TX — Human skeletal remains found in a wooded area in the eastern portion of Freestone County may be linked to a missing person, according to the Freestone County Sheriff's Office.
On the afternoon of January 22, the Freestone County Sheriff's Office was advised by a reporting party that they were gathering their horses in a wooded area of their property when "they inadvertently discovered human skeletal remains."
Sheriff J. Shipley, along with CID Lt. Shaw and Patrol Lt. Willis, responded to the scene, according to the FCSO. The evidence was collected and the Texas Game Warden K-9 Unit was called for assistance.
Due to the loss of daylight, plans were made to re-organize the following morning to continue the search for further evidence, according to the sheriff's office.
"During a continued search the following morning, the Texas Game Wardens and FCSO personnel found additional items of evidentiary value and additional skeletal remains," Sheriff Shipley said.
Sheriff Shipley said the identity is awaiting scientific verification, but "personal clothing items and personal verification that was found matches the description of a missing person that was reported missing from that same area in August of 2017."
The FCSO said the skeletal remains and related evidence will be turned over to the forensic examiners for further investigation and information.
"The FCSO would like to say thank you to the property owners who provided us the information and allowed our office to carry out a thorough investigation, and we also want to show a great deal of appreciation for the Game Warden K-9 units that put exceptional effort into a case that was 3 1/2 years old," Sheriff Shipley said.
This is an ongoing investigation by the Freestone County Sheriff's Office and they say no further information will be released.
