KPD e-News Release: Findings Released in January 2020 Bones Discovery

	Kingsport Police Department David Quillin, Chief of Police 200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660 http://Police.KingsportTN.gov • www.KingsportPDBlog.com
NEWS RELEASE
SUBJECT:		Findings Released in January 2020 Bones Discovery
DATE:		June 30, 2020
CASE #:		20-000574

GENERAL NARRATIVE
On January 7, 2020 at approximately 4:00 PM, Kingsport Police Patrol Officers responded to a residence, located at 509 Fulton Avenue in Kingsport, in reference to the discovery of bones. The discovery was made by HVAC contractors while they were installing duct work in the crawl space beneath the house. The scene was secured, and Detectives from the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division were called to the scene to investigate. The bones were collected and sent to the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine for initial inspection and subsequently forwarded to the University of Tennessee Department of Forensic Anthropology for further evaluation. This case has been under active investigation since the initial discovery. On June 19, 2020 K.P.D. Detectives received a detailed investigative report outlining the forensic anthropological findings. The bones consisted of several fragments, but not a complete skeleton. The bones were identified as being of human origin and more than likely that of an adult female. The forensic anthropological report also indicated that the level of erosion and overall condition of the bones were consistent with “coffin wear,” meaning that the bones had possibly been in a casket at some point in the distant past. The report concluded that the remains were “not of forensic significance,” indicating no sign of foul play. Based upon these scientific findings, this case has now been classified as closed and inactive; however, it is most certainly subject to being reopened at any time should any new investigative leads develop. The identity of the decedent to whom the bones belonged remains a mystery. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the E.T.S.U. Quillen College of Medicine and the U.T. Department of Forensic Anthropology for lending their scientific expertise to this investigation.