Human remains in Forsyth County may have lain undiscovered for years

By Alexis Stevens and David Ibata

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Human skeletal remains were found scattered in a wooded area Friday afternoon off Ga. 400 just inside Forsyth County, authorities said.

Forsyth Sheriff’s deputies suspect the bones had been there for years, Channel 2 Action News reported. Deputies were assisted by a forensic anthropologist as they pored over the grounds, also finding bits of clothing.

“From the condition of the skeletal remains, it's obvious they have been here for quite some time,” Sheriff Ted Paxton told Channel 2.

Early indications are the bones may have been on the site for eight to 10 years, Paxton said.

“We right now can't speculate what the manner of death,” he said. “We will obviously be looking back over our missing persons cases. Right now, nothing comes to mind in this immediate vicinity.”

The bones were found shortly after 3 p.m. near the intersection of McFarland Road and Bluegrass Valley Parkway, according to Capt. Tim House with the Sheriff's Office.

A landscaper walking the woods spotted the remains, authorities said.

Deputies plan to return to the site Saturday morning to continue the investigation, House said.

Paxton told Channel 2, “I would speculate we are going to be here a couple of days because we have a large area so far that we have identified where there are remains scattered.”