The medical examiner’s office said the manner of death for an Iraq War veteran found dead after three years is undetermined.
This means prosecutors may have a tough time adding further charges against James Bradshaw Clement, who is currently charged with concealing the death of Chase Massner, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Massner disappeared in 2014 after visiting Clement at his former home in Kennesaw, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
Human remains were found behind the house in the 500 block of Farmbrook Trail, where Clement lived at the time of Massner's disappearance. Those remains were later confirmed as belonging to Massner.
MORE: 'Stop' says mother of missing veteran to man accused of concealing death
MORE: Remains found in Kennesaw confirmed as missing veteran
The Cobb County medical examiner made the determination based on dental records, Cobb police spokesman Sgt. Dana Pierce told The AJC.
But more than a month after those remains were found, a manner of death could not be determined.
Esther Panitch, a legal analyst, told Channel 2 this new development means, “It will be difficult if not impossible to charge any further crime than what (Clement) is already charged with.”
Clement has been in the Cobb County jail without bond since his Aug. 10 arrest. He is due back in court Oct. 5, the district attorney’s office said.
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