WATCH: Remains Found on West Texas Farm Re-Opens Teen Missing Persons Case

Coahuila Mass Grave
FILE

The bodies of two teenage persons reported missing in 2015 in Midland, Texas, were potentially discovered on a tree farm, authorities announced Monday.

The body of a largely intact female uncovered near Midland in a tree farm pit could belong to a teen reported missing in 2015, Sheriff Gary Painter announced. The remains were reportedly found amid fill dirt and trash. Eight feet deeper, investigators reportedly found a second skeletal foot, KCBD reports. Authorities are now treating the scene as a homicide.

Facebook Live footage: NewsWest 9

“This will tie back to a case we had in October of 2015,” Sherriff Painter said. We had two teenagers come up missing … We had their family get in touch with us and notify us … We found an individual who had their property but we could not find the teenagers … We pray this case will tie back to that.”

Police were alerted to the 20x30x15-foot pit after a tip was given to the Midland County Sheriff’s Office. During a brief press availability on Monday, the MCSO would not describe the genesis of the information but did note that it proved reliable. The owner of the farm property located near County Road 1227 and West County Road 116 is reportedly not considered a suspect in the case.

Investigators and excavators reported to the scene on Saturday. A K-9 team based in Stephenville was dispatched to help sniff and identify human remains within the pit and surrounding area. Three dogs alerted to the crude burial location and two or more bodies. When asked, Sheriff Painter noted that he hoped only two bodies would be found—given that any additional discoveries would open a second investigation. Uncovered remains were transferred to forensic anthropologists in Tarrant County with an autopsy on order as well. DNA test results are expected back in roughly two weeks.

The case now sits with the local district attorney for search and arrest warrants, Sheriff Painter said. The Texas Rangers, an investigative force designed to assist smaller jurisdictions, joined local authorities at the scene.

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