It started with what was confirmed to be a human leg bone found on Lincrest Drive and led to the discovery of human remains buried in a nearby backyard in “some type of carpet material” possibly for several years.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Steve Rudlaff said thus far the gender is unknown.
“It is completely skeletonized, so we will have to send those remains off and hopefully we’ll be able to obtain DNA,” he said.
Investigators also hadn’t located the homeowner as of Thursday, June 4, following the discovery but obtained a search warrant for the property in the 4500 block of South Lincrest near the Ribault River, Rudlaff said. The home is a rental and has been vacant. There’s also been some construction there, so investigators are trying to find the contractor in addition to prior tenants.
A resident initially came across the first bone at about 10 p.m. the night before. Once the Medical Examiner’s Office determined it was human, the Sheriff’s Office returned to the area and uncovered the remains. Investigators believe a dog or other animal dug up the leg bone and carried it to the street.
The Sheriff’s Office was back out there again Friday searching and said the investigation could take months. The Times-Union has requested the incident report and calls for service to the block since Jan. 1.
Anyone with information in the case can contact the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards at First Coast Crime Stoppers, call (866) 845-8477 (845-TIPS), text **8477 or email rewards@fccrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers recently increased its base reward to $5,000.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Human remains discovered in Jacksonville backyard, still a mystery
Reporting by Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
