Human skeletal remains found in Valdese

The skeletal remains found late yesterday afternoon in Valdese are human.

Employees of Debris Tech reported the discovery of skeletal remains near the intersection of Praley Street SW and Massel Avenue SW in Valdese shortly before 5 p.m., prompting a response from the Valdese Police Department (VPD). Debris Tech was at the site to remove debris from a culvert.

Valdese Police officers secured the scene and brought in the medical examiner, who confirmed the bones were human remains. However, due to the waning daylight and meticulous process around identifying skeletal remains, officers closed investigations until daylight.

The VPD requested the assistance of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation on a limited-assistance basis, according to the SBI. The VPD is leading the investigation with the assistance of the SBI and the Norfolk Southern Police Department.

VPD Sgt. Michael Branch confirmed that further details will be released. The VPD requests that the public avoid speculation and allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation.

— JC