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Possible Human Remains Found In Somerset Co.

LARIMER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) – Forensic investigators spent the day in Somerset County after a hiker found remains in Meyersdale.

While there is no confirmation about the identity of the victim, a recent missing persons case has sparked some interest.

State police are being very tight-lipped about the investigation, but have confirmed that they found what appears to be human remains in a wooded area of Somerset County.

It is in a wooded area in Larimer Township.

Someone was walking on a trail there when they saw the remains and called police.

Police believe that the remains are in fact those of a human. They called in forensic anthropologists from Mercyhurst College to help with the investigation.

Police and the anthropology team were on the scene throughout the day Monday.

But police are not saying whether the remains are those of a man or woman or how old he or she may have been.

"It was just discovered in a way that it was unable for the investigators to determine if it was a male or female, and the last thing they were going to do is start routing around to try and find some type of identity in case they maybe move something that a forensic scientist, like this anthropologist, may have noted as evidence worthy," said Trooper Steve Limani, of Pennsylvania State Police.

Police are also not speculating at this point as to whether the remains could be those of 19-year-old Justine Jackson. She went missing back on Sept. 13 in the Meyersdale area.

She was last seen leaving a residence on foot, and no one has heard from her since.

State police are asking anyone who may have information about the remains that were found to contact them.

A news conference has tentatively been scheduled for Tuesday at 1 p.m. to update the investigation.

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