February 4, 1986

Skeleton found in ditch

       Human skeletal remains were found this morning on the edge of a field on Greenwood Road, near State Road 135, in White River Township.  Johnson County Sheriff Doran Miller reported two surveyors working along Greenwood Road found the skeleton this morning and contacted authorities around 11 a.m. The surveyors, from American Consulting Engineers of Indianapolis, were looking for a water line when they discovered the skeleton on the north side of Greenwood Road about 135 feet east of State Road 135.  Police have not determined if the death was a homicide.  “It appears to have been here quite awhile,” Miller said.  Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Steve Byerly said at the scene the body could have been in the field two to three months.  The skeleton was near the road partially hidden from view by high weeds growing along the roadside ditch. Details about the skeleton or the circumstances of the death were not available this morning.  It was not determined if the remains were those of a male or female or of an adult or child.  Witnesses at the scene said, though, it appeared to be a teenage or a young adult male with brown hair wearing white and blue Pony brand basketball sneakers and blue jeans.  Sheriff’s Department detectives, technicians, Johnson County Coroner Forrest “Tug” Sutton and White River Township volunteer firefighters were called to the scene.  Sutton said a pathologist from Indianapolis was expected to arrive between 12:30 and 1p.m.  Police closed off a section of Greenwood Road from State Road 135 east of Melody Avenue while gathering information.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

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