It may take eight to 10 months to evaluate DNA evidence, but Oakland County Sheriff investigators believe human bones found in Springfield Township last week are the remains of a person reported missing in January 1995.
Deputies were dispatched to a wooded area off of Ware Road near Andersonville Road at about 5:55 p.m. Thursday, March 25, after three local men found the remains while walking in the woods looking for antlers, sheriff’s reports said.
Deputies found what appeared to be a human skull. Several other bones, suspected to be torso and leg bones, were found scattered in a roughly 80-square-foot area of the Indian Springs Metropark. Pieces of clothing, possibly from a jacket and shoes, were also found in the area, reports said.
Investigators believe the remains are those of Larry Armistead, who at age 38 apparently wandered away from a Ware Road where he had been housesitting.
Undersheriff Michael McCabe said part of the remains and a blood sample from Armistead’s sister has been sent to the FBI for analysis.
Armistead’s friends had reported him missing, and said he had a history of alcohol use and unusual behavior.
Searches of the area in early 1995 were unsuccessful. Neighbors had told investigators of seeing Armistead headed toward the Metropark property and had given a clothing description, which included a light blue jacket despite the cold weather.
McCabe said the remains were found less than three-quarters of a mile from where Armistead was staying.
‘Based on the description of the coat, we believe it was him,? McCabe said.
No foul play is suspected in the incident, McCabe said.