OSBI Investigating After Human Remains Discovered Near Newcastle

OSBI agents are investigating after human skeletal remains were found in a rural area just to the north of Newcastle, on Wednesday. Agents are labeling the case a homicide until the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office rules otherwise.

Authorities confirm the remains were found in the 1000 block of NE 34^th Street, just to the east of Interstate 44, some time Wednesday evening. According to investigators, two mushroom hunters discovered the remains and called 911. The McClain County Sheriff’s office was first called in to investigate, and in turn requested OSBI assistance.

The Medical Examiner has also been called out to the scene. Information regarding the identity of the victim has not been released, nor has info. regarding the condition of the remains.

“What the M.E. will do is try and identify the person, which could be difficult in this case,” said OSBI Spokeswoman Jessica Brown.

Agents have been on the scene over the past 24 hours, and say the remains were spread out over a large area.

“This was scattered, skeletal remains scene, which is not unusual for what we find in skeletal remains because of animal activity,” Brown said. “We are not releasing gender, approximate age, anything about the individual at this time until we know for certain what we have here.”

Agents are urging anyone with information to come forward. They say right now, there is no way to tell how long the body was in the woods.

“If anyone has a family member, or friend who was missing for the last 6 months, or year, or even longer than that, please give OSBI a call, or the Newcastle Police Department. Because we want to get that documented, even if it's not this person, we want to get that documented,” Brown said.

OSBI says if tipsters call in and supply DNA, they can keep the sample in their system to compare against remains found in future cases.

Keep checking with News 9 and News9.com for more information.