Human Skeleton Found on Khon Kaen Mountain
Human skeletal remains discovered scattered on a Khon Kaen mountain are believed to belong to a young man from neighboring Chaiyaphum province, missing for about a year. Police are seeking relatives to claim the remains for a funeral.
Khon Kaen — A human skeleton was found scattered among rocks on Phu Pha Daeng in Manjakiri district of Khon Kaen province, prompting police to seek relatives of the deceased.
The remains were discovered by villagers collecting forest products on the mountain in Ban Khok Sung, Nangam subdistrict, at around 5 p.m. on August 12.
Pol Col Theerathat Phongsuwan, superintendent of Manjakiri Police Station, led police investigators, forensic officers, rescue workers and a doctor from Manjakiri Hospital to inspect the scene after being notified by the villagers.
Officers found human remains scattered on the ground and among gaps in the rocks. The remains appeared to include most parts of a body, including a skull, a section of scalp with hair, a lower jaw, arm and leg bones and parts of the spine. A pelvis has not yet been found.
A brown blanket with a bear cartoon pattern and clothing believed to have belonged to the deceased were also found nearby. The clothing included a black shirt with the word "DRIVE" printed across the chest. No trousers, skirt, or shoes were found.
Police said they were initially unable to determine the person's identity, sex or age.
During the investigation, officers interviewed villagers who had been collecting forest products in the area. One villager, identified as Tao, said he had seen a young man with golden-highlighted hair resembling the hair found with the remains.
The man was believed to have been around 20 to 30 years old. The villager did not know his name but said he was from Kaeng Khro district in neighbouring Chaiyaphum province. He was reportedly seen in the area about a year ago.
Police said the information was consistent with the lower jaw found at the scene, which was relatively small and appeared to belong to a young adult. However, the information has yet to be confirmed.
All recovered skeletal remains have been collected and sent to Srinagarind Hospital for forensic examination and identification.
Manjakiri police are appealing to anyone who may have information about a missing person matching the description to contact Manjakiri Police Station or Manjakiri Hospital so that the remains can eventually be handed over to the family for a religious funeral.
