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Remains to be analyzed, timeline on identification unknown

Analysis to be conducted, timeline on identity unknown

Photo by M.J. Stafford

PORTLAND — The discovery of remains believed to be that of a human body found in a wooded area in the north county will be analyzed.

Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said the remains, found by a person Sunday evening off Woleben Road in the town of Portland, appear to be a full body.

“Someone was looking for lost items and saw something off the trail,” Quattrone told The Post-Journal and OBSERVER newspapers. “That’s when they saw what appeared to be a human skull.”

The area where the remains were discovered is close to the Alison Wells Ney Nature Trail of the Chautauqua Rails to Trails system.

By late Monday morning, members of the Sheriff’s Office and county Forensic Investigation Team could be seen just off the road, about a mile east of Prospect Station Road. Yellow crime scene tape was placed near where the discovery was made.

In addition to the county Forensic Investigation Team, the Sheriff’s Office said it was receiving assistance at the scene by the Mercyhurst Forensic Anthropology Department. Quattrone said Mercyhurst officials will be taking the remains for an analysis.

“At this time, there isn’t a timeline on identification,” Quattrone said.

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