Human remains were discovered on February 25 off one trail at Devil’s Den State Park
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Devil’s Den State Park Rangers regarding a human skull found by a hiker.
According to Kelly Cantrell with WCSO, investigators responded to the park and were escorted to an area located off one of the trails where more human remains were discovered.
The remains were collected, packaged and sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab.
Investigators are unable to identify the remains and requested a DNA profile be established. The cause of death and manner of death have yet to be determined.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a missing person from August 27, 2017.
Rodney Letterman, 37, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was last seen in the area of a hiking trail in Devil’s Den State Park. An extensive search for Letterman was conducted and he has not been found, nor have there been any leads to his whereabouts.
Park officials today say the area where the remains were found is three miles away from the visitors center and is actually on private land surrounded by U.S. Forrest Service property.
That area is generally inaccessible, and Tim Scott, Devil’s Den Park Assistant Superintendent, tells Fox 24 he was surprised the hiker found the remains because the terrain is very rugged.
“As remote as that area is…there might be some hunters going there and a few hikers, but the location doesn’t get much foot traffic or even wheeler traffic,” Scott said.
Park officials did re-evaluate search records and found the area where these remains were found was searched back in 2017.
Officers are actively investigating. Stay with Fox 24 for additional updates.
