C.J. Gish
Human remains were discovered on Monday afternoon in a wooded area along SE County Line Road near the Columbia and Baker County line.
According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) release, deputies were called around 4:15 p.m. to the location where someone spotted suspected human skeletal remains. They confirmed that the remains were human and secured the scene. Detectives and forensics personnel responded and continued on Tuesday using drones and a cadaver K-9 from Ocala.
“These types of cases are uncommon in our area,” Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a statement. “There are a lot of questions we don’t have the answers to yet, but I am confident in our team’s ability to exhaust every lead and bring closure to this case.”
The cause of death and identity of the deceased is unknown, and CCSO will give updates when information becomes available.
CCSO requests anyone with information regarding this case to contact detectives at (386) 758-1095. Information may also be shared through Crime Stoppers of Columbia County by calling (386) 754-7099 or reporting online through columbiacrimestoppers.net.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information from the CCSO.