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The U.S. Forest Service made an unusual discovery in the Conecuh National Forest.

Human skeletal remains were recently discovered in the Conecuh National Forest in the southern area of Covington County on March 6, 2020.

The Criminal Investigations Division of the Covington County Sheriff’s Office responded to the location after receiving a call from an officer with the U.S. Forest Service. Employees with the US forest service stumbled across the human remains while marking timber.

Preliminary investigation revealed human skeletal remains of what appears to be an adult and foul play is suspected.

Covington County Investigators contacted Dr. Allysha Winburn an Assistant Professor of Anthropology with the University of West Florida for assistance. Through a collaborative effort with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, U.S. Forest Service, District Attorney’s Office and Dr. Winburn’s team of anthropologists, the area was thoroughly searched.

The search of the site took approximately a week to complete. Investigators with the Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service, and anthropologists excavated an area around the skeletal remains.

According to Sheriff Turman, the investigation has been a slow process thus far. Investigators relied on the anthropologist for bone identification and timeline.

“The investigation has been fruitful so far and we are optimistic that the identity of the person will be revealed through DNA testing at the Department of Forensic Sciences located in Montgomery, Alabama,” Turman said. “Investigators have spent over a week sifting through dirt and vegetation for evidence. It is unknown how long the human remains have been there without further testing by forensic science.”

The investigation is being handled as a homicide based on evidence discovered by the investigators.