Skeletal remains found in Conowingo; investigation continues

CONOWINGO — An investigation is continuing after camp counselors discovered the skeletal remains of an unknown person at a Girl Scouts camp in Conowingo, according to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office.

Counselors at Camp Shadow Brook on Camp Shadow Brook Road called authorities at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, after finding the skeletal remains on the bank of Conowingo Creek, reported Lt. Michael Zack, a CCSO spokesman, who noted that no children saw the remains.

“No kids observed the remains, but the camp did contact the parents of the girls who were there (on camp property) because there was a heavy police presence at that camp after the discovery,” Zack explained.

Now CCSO investigators are working closely with Pennsylvania State Police detectives, who have been trying to solve a missing-person case since early April, when a man vanished from the Lancaster, Pa., area, according to Zack.

“After the discovery, we started looking into missing-person cases in the area and started piecing things together. We became aware of a missing-person case in Pennsylvania. A man went missing near Lancaster approximately four months ago,” Zack said.

Because of the ongoing investigation, Zack declined to provide more information about that Pennsylvania State Police missing-person case.

The skeletal remains were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, where an autopsy will be performed, Zack said. In addition, the skeletal remains will be sent to a lab that specializes in DNA extraction, Zack added. Maryland State Police crime scene technicians assisted CCSO detectives at the discovery scene, he reported.

“We have not made a positive identification. We will take familial DNA and compare that to the DNA taken from the bones,” Zack outlined.

The investigation is continuing, and CCSO officials are urging anyone with additional information that might help to call Det. Travis Chinery at 410-996-5500, ext. 3303, or email him at travis.chinery@cecilsheriffmd.gov.

Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous and has information regarding any crime can contact the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office tipline at 410-392-2180.