Sheriff still awaiting results on identity of bones found in Kaw City

Kay County Sheriff Steve Kelley said Wednesday afternoon his office is still awaiting results from the Oklahoma Medical Examiner to determine the identity of human bones found last week in Kaw City.

He said results could come as soon as two weeks if dental records can identify the person or it could be months if other methods are required.

About 3 p.m. April 12, the Kay County dispatch received a call reporting the finding of the bones in a heavily wooded area in Kaw City.

Kay County Investigator John Grimes and Sgt. Lewain Learned confirmed the bones were human and cordoned off a 200-square-foot area to begin their investigation.

The sheriff’s office said most deputies and reserve deputies were called into service. Other local agencies were deployed to assist, including the Ponca City Police Department, the Newkirk Fire Department and the Kaw City Fire Department

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Medical Examiner’s office were notified.

Over a 24-hour period, Sheriff Kelley directed a plan and approximately 80 bones were discovered and collected. Investigator Grimes packaged and labeled the items for the remains to be picked up by the Medical Examiner’s office, which was done Monday.

Until the Medical Examiner’s Office completes its work and issues a report, no identification will be  released, Kelley said.