On 10/21/10 investigators from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, Plymouth County & Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Offices and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted Dr. Michael Finnegan from Kansas State University in the excavation of the site where human bones had been discovered on Tuesday the 19th of October.
Dr. Michael Finnegan is a forensic anthropologist and was requested by the State Medical Examiner’s Office to assist with identifying the human remains.
Dr. Finnegan has informed investigators that the remains are that of a very old male individual. He has determined that the bones are of no forensic value and that a criminal investigation is not warranted.
The site has been turned over to the owner of the property. The Plymouth County Sheriff has closed the investigation.
Dr. Michael Finnegan PhD IA State Medical Examiner’s Office
Professor of Anthropology Investigator Walker Hodges
Kansas State University 2250 So Ankeny Blvd
Manhattan, Kansas 66506 Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Ph 785 532-4982 Ph 515 725-1400
Ph 785 537-7714
Iowa Archaeological Society
Shirley Schermer (Director of Burial Programs)
700 South Clinton Street Bld
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Ph 515 255-4909
Additional information concerning the human remains investigation:
The remains have been at this site for a very long time. They no longer have any forensic or criminal value. Therefore, no further investigation is warranted.
Sheriff Van Otterloo
