by Melody Pettit, City of Branson
The Branson Police Department is investigating after a citizen, who was hunting for mushrooms, discovered possible skeletal remains in a wooded area on Saturday, April 10, 2021, near State Hwy 248 and Gretna road in Branson.
Branson police and the Taney County Coroner conducted a comprehensive search of the area that lasted into the evening hours of Sunday, April 11, 2021. The investigation and search confirmed that the remains are human and investigators are now trying to figure out who it may have been and how this person died.
While the Branson Police Department has one active missing person investigation, the evidence is not consistent with the facts of that particular missing person investigation. At this time, investigators know of no other open regional missing persons investigations but remain in contact with all State and Federal partners.
Police believe there is no continuing or ongoing threat to the community
The Branson Police Department and the Taney County Coroner will continue to work this ongoing investigation and will release additional details as they become available. The Taney County Coroner will ultimately identify the remains.
No additional information is available at this time.