Sheriff: Skeletal remains found, identification process may be lengthy

Identification of skeletal remains found in rural eastern Haskell County last week may not be known for more than a year, according to Sheriff Tim Turner.

The sheriff’s office received information about possible skeletal remains on Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Lt. Terry Garland confirmed that the remains were human, and the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted, according to Turner.

Representatives of the sheriff’s office, along with the medical examiner’s office and Oklahoma District 18 Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, began processing the scene and collecting the skeletal remains on Thursday, Feb. 7.

“The investigation is ongoing. We’re very hopeful we can bring closure to the family and identify these skeletal remains. We believe we know the possible identity of the remains, but until we get confirmation from the medical examiner’s office, we will not release that name,” Turner said.

Turner told county commissioners on Monday, Feb. 11, that due to a backlog at the state medical examiner’s office, it could be 12 to 18 months before positive identification is made. 

Turner also thanked District 1 Commissioner Clark McClary for loaning the sheriff’s office equipment which they used as they recovered the remains.

“It’s not going to be a quick process, but hopefully, hopefully we’ll be able to bring closure to a family in the near future on these skeletal remains that we located,” Turner told the commissioners.

By Anita Reding/Staff reporter