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Coroner: Body found in White River was 'essentially skeletal remains', may take months to identify

White River Body Found.JPG
Posted at 11:45 AM, Sep 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-11 11:46:34-04

INDIANAPOLIS — A body was found Wednesday afternoon in the White River was basically "essentially skeletal remains" and could take months to identify, according to the Marion County coroner.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers and other first responders were called to the White River near South West Street and West Raymond Street just after 2 p.m. for a report of human remains being found in the water.

Crews recovered the remains from the water and they were transported to the Marion County Coroner's Office for investigation and identification.

Chief Deputy Coroner Alfarena McGinty issued new information on Friday saying that due to the nature of the case it may take months to identify the remains. An initial examination will be conducted at the Marion County Coroner's Office and the skeletal remains will then be sent to the Anthropology Department at the University of Indianapolis to be examined for injuries as well as to determine the approximate age, race, and gender of the descendent.

"Their time frame could take up to 12 weeks or more, McGintry said. "Following their examination, a report will be submitted to our office where we will upload DNA to NAMUS to see if it matches any persons who have reported loved ones missing and who have also submitted DNA. so we are looking at almost six months before we have any basic information on the case."

The finding remains under investigation by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Coroner's Office.