L to R: ISP Detective Mike Taylor, ISP Detective Don Curtis, ISP CSI Sgt. Jim Cody and ISP Detective Sgt. Sam Stearley, viewing the scene in Putnam County. Photo Courtesy of Indiana State Police.

PUTNAM COUNTY — Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators from the Putnamville Post, along with the Putnam County Coroner’s Office, are currently investigating the discovery of what appears to be human skeletal remains in the Van Bibber Lake area of northwestern Putnam County. The remains were found by a mushroom hunter at 12:46 this afternoon, Thursday, April 26.

L to R: Putnam County Coroner Dave Brown and Deputy Coroner Ryan Birkemeier viewing the scene. Photo Courtesy Indiana State Police.

Investigators will spend the next few weeks working alongside the Putnam County Coroner’s Office to identify the remains through scientific means. At this time, detectives will not speculate on the age, sex, or otherwise. However, ISP Detectives are investigating the possibility the discovery may be related to a person from the area reported missing to the ISP Putnamville Post on November 15, 2016. Investigators also believe there is no danger to the public.

The investigation is ongoing and no other information will be released. Law enforcement requests patience as this investigation progresses. When additional details develop, they will be released.

The lead investigator is ISP Detective Don Curtis. Assisting were ISP Detectives First Sergeant Jason Fajt, Sergeant Sam Stearley, and Detective Mike Taylor, ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sergeant Jim Cody, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and Putnam County Coroner Dave Brown