EUFAULA -- Officials are investigating in Eufaula after human skeletal remains were found Sunday in a wooded area.
Eufaula police said a resident was searching for morel mushrooms in a heavily wooded area on the north side of town at about 5 p.m. Sunday when he found the bones.
The resident contacted police, and police found the remains scattered about 200 yards into the woods.
“People are just getting so desensitized to stuff like this anymore, it's...it's sad,” said Eufaula resident David Mills.
It's a grisly discovery...just yards from where Mills starts his day everyday.
“I open up around 7:30 – 8:00,” he said. “Go a couple blocks, you're at the lake, you go a few more blocks, you're out in the woods.”
He said he's seen transients in the area before.
“Little bit of a shock when I showed up, you know,” said Mills. “We get people from California, Indiana, Massachusetts. I see them all come through here...boat trailers, RVs.”
“We are treating this as a homicide investigation, and we'll continue to do so until we have proof otherwise,” said Eufaula Police Chief Don Murray.
Police believe the bones are male, but they're not sure how long they've been outside.
For local families, the find can be an emotional one.
“You want to be able to tell them yes, we have found your family member to give them that bit of closure. But at the same time, you don't want to have to tell them that either,” said Murray.
It has not yet been determined if the remains show signs of trauma.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agents and officials with the Medical Examiner's Office are investigating.
“I hope they're able to identify them and give his family closure so they know what happened to that person. It'd be a shame to just one day not knowing where your family member went,” said Mills. “It's nothing new for Eufaula...I mean, you see it all the time.”
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