Washington County coroner offers more details in skeletal remains investigation
Washington County’s coroner said Thursday that there is no threat to the public after a human skeleton was found last week in Washington.
The remains were discovered in a wooded area near 150 Terrace Ave. in the city Sunday morning. Coroner Timothy Warco said the remains had been there for about three or four years.
“It has been quite some time … The entire human skeleton was there,” Warco said.
According to Warco, the remains belong to a male and show no signs of trauma, such as broken bones or wounds. Warco said it is unlikely he will be able to determine exactly how he died.
The male likely died at the site where he was found.
The skeleton did have a small piece of skin tissue and hair. Warco said there was also a wallet containing photo identification with the remains.
“I believe we know who it is from a photo ID. That is not scientific,” Warco said. “We’ve talked to the family. I want dental records.”
Warco added the family reported a family member missing around the time the male would have died. Though Warco thinks they have determined who the remains belong to, he says complete dental and DNA analyses are necessary before confirming the identity publicly.
“I’m not trying to be secretive,” Warco said. “I don’t want to make a mistake of telling this family they are the remains of your loved one, and it’s not correct.”