JACKSON CO., Ill. - Fortunately for some family, somewhere, Jackson County officials - and not Carbondale officials - are leading the investigation into the discovery of human remains Sunday.
But it was just barely.
Authorities have stated that the October 28 discovery was made by a group of hunters who were in a woods located in the vicinity of North Marion Street, just north and east of the city limits.
Illinois State Police Crime Scene investigators as well as personnel from the Southern Illinois University Anthropology Department combined forces to make the determination that the skeletal remains were indeed human. Upon the confirmation, the Jackson County Sheriff's Department took over the investigation.
Had Carbondale authorities been tasked with handling the investigation, there likely wouldn't be a report to bring you, as they have kind of a crappy track record when it involves dead people in their town.
But fortunately, the very capable investigators of the sheriff's department are in charge, and there might actually be a missing persons investigation solved.
Thus far, two of the many missing persons we've reported on over the past decade remain unresolved: That of Beth Bentley, and of Joel Moore, both of whom went missing from downstate Illinois in 2010.
There have been no leads on their disappearances.
If you have any info regarding this latest find, call the Jackson Coutny Sheriff's Office at 618-684-2177.