PINE RIVER TOWNSHIP — Gratiot County Road Commission employees found human remains April 7 while performing maintenance along northbound U.S. 127 near Michigan Avenue, according to reports based on information released by the Sheriff's Office.
The remains were found beyond the guardrail on the east side of the northbound lanes. Michigan State Police forensic personnel and a K-9 team assisted, and the Michigan State University Anthropology Unit confirmed the remains were human.
Authorities sent the remains to the Genesee County Medical Examiner's Office, working with the MSU unit, for examination and identification. Reports published in April said that work was continuing.
CBS News Detroit attributed the initial information to Sheriff Tom Clark's office. None of the April reports gave an estimate of how long the remains had been at the site, described their condition, or said whether investigators suspected a crime. None included a public request for tips.
In general, forensic anthropologists are brought in when remains cannot be identified by sight, and identification can then depend on dental records, DNA comparison and missing-person files, work that often takes months. That general practice is context; officials have not described the specifics of this case.
More than five months have passed since the discovery. This publication searched again on Sept. 19 and found the same April reports, with no later announcement from the Sheriff's Office or the medical examiner.
No conclusion about foul play, identity or circumstances should be drawn from the location alone. We will update this report if the Sheriff's Office, medical examiner or another responsible agency releases confirmed findings.