Remains found in Saguache County were placed by loved ones as ‘final resting place’
SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Saguache County Sheriff's Office announced the remains found near Saguache County Road 71 in Crestone were identified as human. However, the sheriff's office says the remains were purposely placed there by family members as a final resting place for the deceased.
Monday, officials received a call about possible human bones discovered along the road near the Forest Service gate to North Crestone Campground.
At the scene, Saguache County Sheriff's Office Corporal S. Hansen determined the bones appeared to be human and seemed to have been burned or cremated, as there were what appeared to be ashes mixed in with the bones.
Tuesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation began working with the Saguache County Coroner and a Forensic Anthropologist to officially identify what the bones were.
By Wednesday, the sheriff's office confirmed the bones were human. Due to the way the bones were scattered along the road, authorities launched an investigation.
However, officials determined the area was meant to be the final resting place and was not a crime scene.
The Saguache County Sheriff's Office said the following in a statement released on the situation:
It was not the intent of the Saguache County Sheriff's Office, Saguache County Coroner's Office, or Colorado Bureau of Investigation Evidence Team to disturb the final resting place. The Saguache County Sheriff is saddened that the final resting place of the deceased was disturbed.
Saguache County Sheriff's Office
According to the sheriff's office, the Saguache County Coroner is working with the family to return the remains of their loved one.
Additionally, the Saguache County Sheriff's Office says it "respects the ability to scatter ashes of loved ones in places that the family and friends of the deceased holds special to them."
Still, the sheriff's office requests people scatter the ashes of loved ones in areas that are not noticeable to the traveling public.
For questions about where or how to scatter ashes, contact the Saguache County Sheriff's Office at (719)-655-2544 or the Saguache County Coroner at (719)-850-2219.
