Human remains found in Stearns area
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
At this time, identity cannot be confirmed
On Tuesday (11-22-22), McCreary County Sheriff Randy Waters responded to a 911 call regarding the possible discovery of a human skull located in the yard of a resident at the end of the Tunnel Ridge road in Stearns. The caller said a dog had carried what appeared to be a human skull into their yard.
McCreary County Sheriff Randy Waters and MCSO Chief Deputy Tom Smith arrived at the scene shortly after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and confirmed the existence of a human skull. Sheriff Waters notified Kentucky State Police Detective Matt Parmley before he and Animal Control Officer Greg Smith began a search for further evidence in the surrounding wooded area.
Sheriff Waters and Officer Greg Smith searched approximately a five mile area by foot for roughly two hours. No further evidence was discovered during their search.
Although there are other missing persons, primarily from Scott County, Tennessee, who have been seen in or have ties to McCreary County, only one missing person case is officially listed as having been initially reported to the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office. According to Sheriff Waters, the billfold of the one missing person reported initially to his office was found by the railroad tracks near the Tunnel Ridge area. The billfold was found during the early stages of investigation after the individual was first reported as missing approximately 13 months ago.
Following Tuesday’s discovery of remains, Detective Parmley and Sheriff Waters collected DNA samples from family members of the missing McCreary County person to assist in identification of the remains. However, positive identification of the remains cannot be made at this time.
“At this time, we cannot confirm the identity of the remains,” Sheriff Waters said.
KSP Detective Parmley noted the remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort via the McCreary County Coroner’s Office for tests to assist with identification.
“DNA samples have been collected, and DNA analysis will be used to identify the remains,” Detective Parmley commented. According to Parmley, DNA analysis can take up to two months for completion.
