Hunter finds human remains off S. Century Drive

Authorities on Wednesday recovered human remains found by a hunter Tuesday evening on U.S. Forest Service land off South Century Drive near La Pine, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

The hunter reported finding the remains shortly before 7 p.m. near milepost 10 of South Century Drive, said sheriff’s Sgt. Don Manning of the agency’s detective division.

Sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to begin a death investigation.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit, Oregon State Police Forensics Laboratory and the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office assisted the sheriff’s office in recovering the remains on Wednesday.

“The investigation at this point has determined the remains have been in this area for an extended period of time,” Manning said in a news release late Wednesday afternoon.

The State Medical Examiner’s Office will assist the sheriff’s office in determining the identity of the remains and determining the cause and manner of death, the sergeant said, adding that “updated information will be released as soon as possible.”

Crime scene tape could still be seen Wednesday afternoon on branches of trees along a dirt road leading to a popular fishing spot.

A neighbor of the hunter told NewsChannel 21 the man said he found a skull and some clothing and that authorities were looking into whether the remains may have been those of a transient.

NewsChannel 21’s A.J. Kato went to the scene Wednesday afternoon and is offering live reports on the air. We will have more details as we get them.