A watch may help authorities identify man found dead

Time waits for no man, but a watch may help authorities in eastern Kansas identify a man found dead last spring.

A human skull was found on April 29 in a grassy area along the east bank of the Neosho River just outside of Neosho Rapids, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. Additional human remains were discovered about 20 feet from the skull.

Those remains were wrapped in a fitted bed sheet and comforter, which was placed within a black bag commonly used to collect leaves or lawn cuttings.

An autopsy showed that the remains are those of a middle-aged or older male who was 5-feet-4 to 5-feet-6, according to the sheriff’s office. The man may have been mixed race, with predominantly white heritage and African American traits.

He had scoliosis, the autopsy showed. He also had long blonde, white or gray hair.

A digital watch was found in the bedding with the remains.

Anyone with knowledge related to the case is being asked to contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office at 620-341-3353.

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 6:10 PM with the headline "A watch may help authorities identify man found dead."