By SALINA POST
MITCHELL COUNTY – Human skeletal remains that were located in April along the Mitchell County-Cloud County line have been identified.
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the deceased individual was identified as 40-year-old Waylon Fort, of El Dorado. The investigation into Fort’s death did not reveal evidence of foul play.
Due to the advanced decomposition of the recovered remains, positive identification was challenging. DNA extracted from the remains was compared to DNA samples obtained from probable family members. The DNA profiles closely matched, resulting in his identification.
The investigative findings will be submitted to the Cloud County Attorney’s Office and the Mitchell County Attorney’s Office for review.
The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area near Kansas Highway 9 and County Road 757, east of Beloit on the morning of April 26 after a resident notified law enforcement that a human bone had been found. Authorities made the discovery of the remains soon after.
The KBI was asked by the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office and the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the incident and KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded.