Human remains found near Arkansas River

TULSA COUNTY, Okla. - Tulsa County Sheriff's detectives continue to investigative human remains discovered by two hikers Sunday afternoon.

The hikers called 911 when they noticed what appeared to be a human skull with a hole in it near the 4900 block of West Charles Page Boulevard, investigators said.

"I happened to come across what I thought was just bones of an animal and I went up to see what kind of skull it was and when I noticed it was a human skull with a bullet hole in the side. We decided we better call 911," said Nelson Parish.

Police said it is possible the hole in the skull was the result of a bullet. Police also said that if the hole was the result of a gun shot, it was likely from a small caliber weapon.

Parish was walking along the banks with Heather Green. She said she was shocked by their discovery.

"I was like, 'Wow!' You know, you see a lot of stuff out there but you don't expect to see human bones," she said.

About 40 bones with some clothing were found on private property near a levee on the Arkansas River, investigators said. It's not clear whether the clothes belonged to the remains.

"I'm just totally shocked,” said property owner Malcolm Megibben. “It's amazing how it makes your body feel. You're kind of nervous. Your heart’s beating. You're like, 'What the heck?' because you would never think of anything like that."

Megibben said he is used to seeing homelessness, drug use and stolen vehicles in his backyard, but this event was one he never thought would happen to him.

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office will identify the remains and determine the cause of death.

Investigators say the skeletal remains have been exposed to the elements for at least six months.