The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office continues to try to identify human remains found in the Mississippi River four months ago.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office continues to try to identify human remains found in the Mississippi River four months ago.
They’ve also released a photograph of a ring that closely resembles one found with the body.
Partial remains of a man were found on June 20 in a slough about a half-mile south of La Crosse. Six days later, the sheriff’s office said that the calcified remains had been in the river for approximately five years but possibly a little less. While most of the clothing had disintegrated, they believed it might have been someone who was hunting at the time. They also said there were indications that the body might have passed through a lock and dam upriver before the remains were discovered.
The remains were sent over to Rochester for examination including DNA analysis.
Captain Marte Peterson said that they’re waiting on the DNA results which he said may take several months to complete.
He was able to say that there is some new information about the person although he cautioned that they were not absolutes.
They believe it is a male between the ages of 15 and 25 with the likelihood that the person was closer to 15 than to 25.
The person is believed to be a white male approximately 5’3″ to 5’9″ in height.
Back in June an alert was sent out to authorities whose jurisdictions run along the Mississippi River. While that hasn’t developed into the identity of the person, DNA test results may help further the case in that respect according to Captain Peterson.
If anyone can identify the person who wore the ring seen in the photograph, you’re asked to contact the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office at 608-785-9629. For those who wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers.
