Investigation underway in Forest County after kayakers find human remains

West Hickory, Pa ( WJET/WFXP ) — Authorities have begun an investigation into human remains that were found by a group of kayakers along the Allegheny River Saturday evening in Forest County.

“Apparently a small group of I think three Kayakers were heading down stream alongside the island and were looking for a place to camp for the night. Upon getting on-shore they came across human remains,” said Forest County Coroner Norman J. Wimer.

Wimer along with his Chief Deputy Cody B. Magill were called to the scene around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. When the pair arrived at the boat launch, they were informed by Pennsylvania State Police that remains were found on what is known as “King Island”. King Island is an island about a mile South of the West Hickory Boat Launch.

On King Island, they were met with the mostly skeletonized remains of an unknown person, and no identification was found with the remains. Wimer believes the remains belong to a male and has been at the location since at least early spring, though the cause and time of death are pending investigation.

The remains will be taken to Erie later this week in the hopes of gathering more identifiable information from the remains.

State Police have begun looking into whether there is anyone in neighboring counties who has missing persons. If needed during the course of the investigations, Wimer will reach out to both statewide and nationwide databases of missing persons.

If anyone has any information about a missing person who fits the current information provided, they are asked to contact either the Forest County Coroner’s Office at (814) 755-4580 or the Pennsylvania State Police – Marienville at (814) 927-5253.

The Coroner wished to thank the West Hickory Fire Department along with the Tionesta Fire
Department who assisted.

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