OSBI Releases Forensic Model Of Skull Found In Pittsburg County

Investigators hope a skull reconstruction of skeletal remains will help someone recognize the victim.

When skeletal remains were discovered on a rugged hillside near Quinton in eastern Pittsburg County in December, investigators had few clues and very little to help solve the mystery of how the man died, how he got there or his identity.

"He would have had no reason to have been there, it's that rugged and remote," said Sheriff Joel Kerns.

Kerns called in the OSBI. Although unable to determine a cause of death, experts learned the remains had been there for two to five years.

An OSBI Forensic artist named Harvey Pratt completed a facial reconstruction from the remains.

"No real significant trauma, or anomalies in order for us to get him identified, so at this point, he remains unidentified," said Medical Examiner Anthropologist Angela Berg.

The medical examiner determined the white or Hispanic man was between 40 and 60 years of age and between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-8. He was right handed and had a broken lower left rib.

"It's amazing that they can even do this type of stuff, but maybe it will give us some clue into who he is," Kerns said.

Sheriff's investigators checked missing persons reports from Pittsburg County and surrounding counties, but none matched. The facial reconstruction could be the key to first identifying the man, which could then lead to answers about his death.

"Hopefully somebody will recognize him, or somebody that looks similar to this gentleman and let the OSBI or Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office know," Berg said.

While we were at the sheriff's office, a woman from Russellville, Arkansas, who saw reports about the OSBI model called in a tip saying she thought the victim was a friend she hasn't seen for several years. Investigators looked into the tip, but it didn't pan out.

Investigators hope anyone who might recognize the man based on the facial reconstruction will call them. The Pittsburg County Sheriff's office number is 918-423-5858.