Public asked to identify skeletal remains
Close up of the skeletal remains' actual front teeth dental work.
EPHRATA - Grant County Sheriff's detectives are asking citizens to help identify a man whose skeletal remains were found near the Potholes Reservoir.
A hunter called 9-1-1 Nov. 23 after discovering a decomposed body and clothing near a boat launch at the east end of the reservoir, according to Grant County Sheriff's officials. The body reportedly appeared to have been outdoors for about a year and some of the bones seemed to have been scattered by wildlife.
A forensic anthropological autopsy conducted in Seattle by the King County Medical Examiner's Office revealed a single gunshot wound on the body, according to Grant County Sheriff's Major Crimes Detective Kim Cook, who said while the precise circumstances of the injury are not yet known the investigation is being considered a homicide.
Cook declined to release details concerning the wound, including its location on the body or the type of weapon used, saying withholding the information will assist investigators.
"We use details like this to vet anybody we're looking at as a witness or a suspect," he said.
The autopsy revealed descriptive information about the victim and was used by forensic artist Natalie Murry to depict what the man may have looked like before his death. The drawing is based in an assessment of the skull, Cook stated; adding the man's actual hair length and color, facial hair or skin complexion may have been different since it was impossible to determine those features by examining the remains.
Based on the examination, the victim is believed to have been a white or Hispanic male, around 35 years old, who stood between 5 foot, 1 inch and 6 foot, 1 inch tall, Cook stated.
The man's teeth were reportedly in poor condition and silver-colored dental caps were affixed to his two front teeth, with one tooth broken beneath the cap.
The body was found clothed in multiple layers.
Cook stated the victim was wearing a "Phat Farm" long sleeve T-shirt; "Phat Farm" short sleeve T-shirt; "Route 66" dark denim pants, waist size 28; insulated vest, tan and orange colored; black shoes with Velcro closures, approximately size 8; and a black stocking cap.
Anyone with potential information about the man is asked to call Cook at 509-754-2011 ext. 471, or send information to crimetips@co.grant.wa.us.
Tipsters can remain anonymous.