Local News
Second set of bone fragments may remain a mystery
Somerset — The mystery behind 21-year-old Jeffrey Kevin Price’s disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his remains continues to be investigated — but the questions surrounding the discovery of what may be another individual at the same site won’t be solved anytime soon.
“There’s only one case we’re opening up, until there’s enough evidence to open a second case,” said Pulaski County Coroner Richad New.
Price’s burned body was found last Saturday, Nov. 28, in a remote area off Strawberry Road in eastern Pulaski County. The Science Hill man had been missing since Nov. 9 when he left work, and his burned truck was found that same night.
The mystery deepened when on Tuesday investigators found evidence of “duplication of skeletal elements” — in other words, two left elbow bones were found, according to Dr. Emily Craig, forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner’s Office. That discovery was made as investigators combed Price’s remains for clues into what may have happened to him.
But those additional fragments would only add up to make 32 grams “of severely burned and degraded skeletal material that includes one long bone forearm fragment and four partial vertebral bodies,” according to a preliminary report released by Craig and addressed to New and Mary Goolsby, examiner with the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Because of the severe degradation of the bones, it’s nearly impossible for investigators to determine to whom the bones belong.
“Until such a time as a DNA profile can be developed, the source of these fragments cannot be determined,” Craig stated in the report.
Craig had stated before that the bones weren’t historic — meaning they couldn’t have come from an old burial site. But beyond that, investigators have hit a wall. Age and gender cannot be identified because of the scarcity of the evidence.
Authorities are treating Price’s death as a homicide, but New said there isn’t enough substantial evidence to suggest that the second individual was a victim of the same circumstances.
“These bone fragments are in question, but there may never be an answer where they originated from,” New said.
Until enough evidence is found, or until technology progresses enough that would allow investigators to retrieve more information from fewer material, New said he’s focusing on Price’s case.
“All I have is evidence of one (set of) skeletal remains,” New said.
But New emphasized more evidence may be discovered that could lend an answer to the puzzle that is the second set of remains.
“That may change,” New said, about his decision to not open a case into the second set of remains.
But until then, the unidentified fragments will have to remain a mystery.
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LCADTF could lose big bucks
Lake Cumberland Area Drug Task Force officials estimate that the City of Somerset’s lack of involvement in the task force could lead to a loss of some $250,000 in federal funding per year — a chunk which could easily force the task force to close its doors.
David Keller, deputy director of Appalachia HIDTA, a major funding source for the local drug task force and the reason why federal and state law enforcement officers are able to be a part of the agency, says the agency’s current situation is more serious than many people realize.
Keller says HIDTA has made a “huge investment” in the LCADTF, but that folks shouldn’t get too comfortable with the agency’s ability to obtain grant money at the federal or state level.
“This is not entitlement money. ... Our grant is performance driven, and it’s sought after by competitive forces,” Keller said. “If this agency doesn’t produce, they stand a risk of not having the task force funded. That money will go someplace else — to another county that would love to have it.” -
HOME STRETCH
Less than a decade ago, Pleasant Hill was a pastoral community. Modern homes were tucked among shaded lawns. Cattle grazed peacefully at day and fireflies blinked in darkness. The area was served by a friendly little road called Clifty.
Things have changed and are changing. In a relatively few days, huge electric bulbs will glow, turning night forever into day. Horseless carriages will trek in places where tailpipes have belched never before. -
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