Lawton Human remains may be linked to recent winter storm

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) — The death of a person whose remains were found on land owned by Cameron University in southwest Oklahoma may be linked to a winter storm in the state last month, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.

OSBI spokesperson Brook Arbeitman said Wednesday that authorities are awaiting the findings of the state medical examiner on the unidentified person’s exact cause of death.

A human skull was found Sunday on land that is not part of the university campus, but is owned by the university in Lawton, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) southwest of Oklahoma City, according to Arbeitman.

Additional remains and clothing were found Monday, she said, but the person’s identity has not been determined.

The person may have died as a result of exposure to sub-freezing temperatures during the icy winter storm last month that led President Joe Biden to issue two federal disaster declarations.

One declaration provides financial assistance to cities, counties and tribes in all 77 of the state’s counties and the second makes funding available to homeowners, renters and businesses in 16 counties for costs associated with responding to or recovering from the storm.