The Hope Police Department is investigating after human remains were discovered in a wooded area near the 1200 block of West Avenue B over the Independence Day weekend.
According to police, officers responded to the area at approximately 8:02 p.m. Saturday after a person cleaning property reported finding what they believed to be a deceased individual.
When officers and detectives arrived, they confirmed the presence of human remains. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, investigators were unable to immediately determine the person’s race or sex.
The Hempstead County Coroner estimated the individual had been deceased for approximately one week, although an exact time of death could not be determined at the scene.
Authorities transported the remains to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where investigators will work to identify the individual and determine the cause and manner of death.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the Hope Police Department at 870-777-3434 or their local law enforcement agency. Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
