Skeletal human remains found off state Highway 30 in McMinn County have been sent for a forensic autopsy to determine the identity of the body and whether any possible foul play is involved.
The remains were found by hunters in a wooded area off Highway 30, west of Athens near County Road 119, according to a statement from the McMinn County Sheriff's Office.
The discovery was made in the area of the Double C Bar & Grill and Friendly City Auto Care about 2 miles outside the city limits, Sheriff Joe Guy said. The scene is in a mostly rural area with the two businesses and a couple of residences being the only structures nearby.
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"Our deputies spoke with the group of hunters, who directed them to the site several yards off the highway," Guy said in a news release. "The area was immediately secured as a possible crime scene."
Deputies and detectives processed the scene, located and collected the partial human remains, he said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Sheriff's Office.
District Attorney Shari Tayloe said in a text message that her office also is assisting in the investigation.
"I would encourage anyone who has any information regarding this to contact the McMinn County Sheriff's Office," she said.
The remains were sent to the Knox County Regional Forensics Center in Knoxville, authorities said. The facility serves 22 Tennessee counties.
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"The case remains active," Guy said. "The present evidence prevents any definite rendering of a cause of death, age or sex of the victim until the Forensics Center conducts further testing."
Anyone with information related to the case can reach the McMinn County Sheriff's Office at 423-745-5622.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.