Dedham search produces new clues Police following leads to identify remains

DEDHAM – A team of investigators Wednesday uncovered additional items in the woods as they continued their search for clues that would help them identify the partial human remains found there last fall.

The team spent eight hours working at the site off the Jenkins Beach Road and found a few more personal effects, according to Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety. During an all-day search Tuesday, the investigators discovered several human bones at the site, as well as some personal items.

Investigators have not released specific information about the type of bones or personal materials that have been discovered at the site.

The search of the site began last fall after a hunter discovered a piece of a human skull while hunting in the thickly wooded area. He led investigators to the site, where, after two days of searching, they found pieces of foot bones a short distance from where the skull had been found. Winter weather forced them to halt the search of the area until this week when soil conditions were dry enough so dirt could be sifted through mesh screens.

Investigators are seeking clues to identify the remains. An initial assessment last fall determined that the bones had been at the site for about 10 years and that they belonged to someone in their teens or 20s. The few pieces of bone discovered so far have not been sufficient to establish an identity, Detective Chris Coleman said on Tuesday.

In addition to the search at the site, investigators have been searching missing-persons files in Maine and across the country in an effort to provide a name that will match the bones and personal effects.

The resumption of the search on Tuesday received statewide publicity. McCausland said officers are following up on leads they have received from calls that have come in during the past 24 hours.

Investigators expect to be back at the site sometime next week, McCausland said.

Anyone with information about the case may call Maine State Police at Orono, 866-2121, or (800) 432-7381