While investigating an unrelated case last week, police in Manchester, Tennessee, found a human skull that so far has led to more questions than answers.
Police made the discovery about 5 p.m. CST on Wednesday, according to a statement posted by the department on social media. The location is near the Interstate 24 west on-ramp at Hillsboro Boulevard on the southwest side of the interchange where several acres of woodland stands between Skinner Flat Road and the interstate south of the former Pappy's Country Cookin' restaurant.
A spokesman for the department and investigator on the case couldn't be reached for comment Monday.
State and Coffee County authorities and Tullahoma police assisted, too.
"Because of the involvement from all agencies, we were able to complete a rigorous and exhaustive recovery effort," Manchester police said in the statement. "Lastly, we want to show our appreciation and gratitude to the ones that provided us with hydration and food. Without any requests, numerous residents and businesses within our community stopped by to bring us food and drinks."
Coffee County Sheriff's Office spokesman Frank Watkins said Monday that county officers lent a hand at the scene. He said there were some clothes found but he didn't think investigators were able to say the clothes and skull were linked. Watkins said the clothing didn't initially seem to have been at the scene for the same period of time as the skull.
"The skull was fairly weathered, pretty bleached," Watkins said. "Nothing else was found at the location."
A forensic team from Middle Tennessee State University assisted in the recovery and is conducting an examination, officials said.
Anyone with any information about the case is urged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 931-728-2099.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.