Police in a southern Alabama town say news stories about a box of human ashes found on the roadside near a framed American flag led a man to claim the items.
Florala Police Chief Sonny Bedsole tells The Associated Press that publicity about the mystery led the man to pick up the items late Tuesday.
Bedsole said the man moved from nearby Lockhart, Alabama, about three weeks ago during an acrimonious divorce. Bedsole said he'd removed most of his property from the family home, but left his father's remains and the flag behind.
Bedsole said the man - who he didn't identify - then moved to Crestview, Florida. Friends told him about news articles they'd seen, prompting him to contact police.
Police said "no real explanation was given" about how the items were abandoned on the roadside.