Sask. RCMP asking for public's help to identify decade-old human remains found near Moose Jaw
Saskatchewan RCMP is asking for the public's help to identify human remains found in the rural municipality of Moose Jaw last month that were believed to have been in the area for more than a decade.
Moose Jaw RCMP said it began an investigation on April 28 into human remains located in the RM of Moose Jaw.
Upon attending the scene, the police say they discovered a makeshift campsite in a deeply forested area.
RCMP discovered this shirt at the makeshift campsite where the human remains were found. (Submitted by RCMP.)
"Investigators determined that the remains had been in the area for 10 to 12 years with no evidence to suggest the individual had met with foul play," the police said Thursday in a news release.
Because the death was deemed non-suspicious, the Saskatchewan RCMP's historical case unit took over the case.
This backpack was found at the makeshift campsite where the human remains were found. (Submitted by RCMP)
The police said the campsite area was searched utilizing tools such as remotely piloted aircraft systems, all-terrain vehicles and metal detectors. These searches yielded many personal items including clothing, backpacks, and toiletries.
"A tube of toothpaste with a 2013 expiry date was located. Investigators contacted the manufacturer and learned that, given the expiration date, it was manufactured no earlier than 2012," the release said.
The police said this discovery helped their investigators narrow down a timeframe for when the individual may have been in the area.
The police have now released images of items found at the scene in an effort to garner information on who this individual may be.
"This is someone's loved one and at the end of the day, we would love to be able to bring closure to that family,"Corp. Craig Park of the HCU said. "We are reaching out to the public in the hopes that someone out there recognizes one of the items we recovered, or that it helps jog someone's memory of an interaction or sighting of this person."
Anyone with information is asked to call the historical case unit at 639-825-3156. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
