Human remains found by mushroom hunter in Clermont County’s Washington Township

On April 19 at 2:47 p.m., the Clermont County Communications Center received a 911 call from a property owner in the 1500 block of Barger Road, Washington Township. The caller reported that she had given a neighbor permission to search for mushrooms on her land, during which he discovered several bones which appeared to be human remains.

Deputies from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 2:56 p.m., confirmed the discovery and secured the scene. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Investigative Unit arrived at 3:35 p.m., followed by an investigator from the Clermont County Coroner’s Office. Sheriff’s Office Drone and Crime Scene Unit members also assisted with evidence collection and interviews. The area was processed and secured for a more detailed search.

The Sheriff’s Office requested additional search and recovery resources, including the EquuSearch Midwest Team, comprised of members from Cincinnati Search and Recovery (CSAR) and Rescue 101 Search and Rescue.

On April 20 at 8 a.m., approximately 20 members of the EquuSearch Midwest Team began coordination with the Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit to conduct a comprehensive search of the area. A pathologist from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office was also on site to assist in distinguishing human remains from animal remains.

Any bones confirmed to be human will be transported to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office for further identification. The investigation remains ongoing.

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