COLUMBIA — Police found unidentified skeletal remains in a homemade shed Wednesday morning in a wooded area just north of Conley Road, said Capt. Brad Nelson of the Columbia Police Department's Major Crimes Unit.
Nelson said a hiker, who was following a trail, reported the remains to police after the hiker looked inside a makeshift shed and saw a skull and other bones.
At 10:59, officers found the remains in a campsite where homeless people had been known to congregate in the past. The site appeared to be abandoned for several months, and officers found no apparent signs of foul play.
However, Nelson said foul play has not been ruled out, since an autopsy to determine the cause of death was yet to be performed.
The remains were taken to the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office for identification. The sex and age of the individual is still unknown.
Nelson said the first priority in the investigation is to identify the body.
Anyone with information concerning the body is encouraged to submit a tip on the Crimestoppers Web site, 875tips.com or call 875-8477.