FBI consulted as remains near Helena investigated

HELENA (AP) — Lewis and Clark County officials are searching local missing persons cases and have consulted with the FBI as they try to identify human bones found in black trash bags near U.S. Highway 12 west of Helena.

A U.S. Forest Service employee spotted a bag Wednesday afternoon near MacDonald Pass and called law enforcement when he opened it and found what appeared to be human bones, said Sheriff Leo Dutton.

Coroner Mickey Nelson said the remains recovered Wednesday "would basically be consistent with one (person) at this point," but he said it's not impossible that there are remains of more than one person.

He said he believed the remains were of an adult but did not know if it was a man or woman or how long they had been there.

Officers continued to search the area Thursday.

In addition to looking at local missing persons cases, information from the investigation will be forwarded to the FBI to see if it is similar to any other cases involving remains found near highways, Dutton said.

The remains were found 75 to 100 yards away from the highway.

Nelson said that 30 years ago, the investigation likely would have focused only on people reported missing in the Helena area.

"In this day and age, I don't think we can say that anymore," he said. "Sure, they're one of the first that we're looking at. At the same time, that's a major east-west highway."

Nelson said he believes the case is a homicide.FBI.

"Somebody has put this person there, or it happened there and (they) tried to dispose of them," Nelson said.