ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 29, 1997 TAG: 9701290063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LURAY
SOURCE: Associated Press
A hiker has found human skeletal remains in the Shenandoah National Park, authorities said.
The remains were clothed in pants, a shirt and boots, said Lyn Rothgeb, a National Park Service spokeswoman. She said authorities haven't yet determined how long the remains were there and do not have an identity, age or sex of the person.
``The remains were at least several months old, and we have no idea what the cause [of death] is,'' said Mary Lowe, another Park Service spokeswoman.
The remains were found Sunday. An investigation was being conducted by park police, with help from state police and the FBI. The remains were taken to the state medical examiner's office in Fairfax for an autopsy.
Rothgeb said the remains weren't near a campsite and there was no camping gear or other possessions nearby.
The remains were found in Warren County, about 10 miles south of Front Royal and one mile from the Skyline Drive. Authorities would not release the exact location.
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB