Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse is hoping to have results in as soon as two weeks from a forensic anthropologist that may lead to the identity of human remains found just southwest of Mt. Vernon on March 21st. DNA samples have also been given to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab.
Hayes says a large part of the body was still intact when it was originally found by those looking for deer antlers that had been shed. He reports some additional parts of the body were located during a further search of the fields and wooded areas west of Davidson Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive on Tuesday. Hayse estimates 75-percent of the body has now been recovered.
Hayes is not yet saying if the body is that of a male or a female and how long the remains may have been at the location they were found.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department organized the Tuesday search. They were joined by members of the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Fire Protection District, Mt. Vernon Fire Department, Woodlawn Fire Department, Waltonville Fire Department, Illinois State Police Forensic Services, canine search and rescue teams, and Litton’s Ambulance.
