NPSO Human remains were found in a wooded area off of Johnson Chute Road near Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office responded to a 911 call Thursday, July 18 at 2:29 p.m. of possible human remains discovered by loggers in a thick wooded area off of Johnson Chute Road near Natchitoches.
Deputies say upon their arrival, the logging crew showed them the location of the discovery. Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division were notified and responded . Natchitoches Parish Deputy Asst. Coroner Steven Clanton confirmed the remains as human. According to Clanton it appears the remains had been in the area for several months.
Chief of Patrols Doug Rachal said deputies and the coroner’s office searched the area for approximately two hours looking for any evidence or clues to identify the remains or manner of death.
Chief of Investigations Greg Dunn said the remains were found approximately 1-mile west of La. Hwy 1. This area is in close proximity where deputies and volunteers searched the area by ground, air and water on three separate occasions during the early part of this year for Donnie Collins Jr., 44, of Natchitoches who was reported missing by family members Dec. 11, 2018.
The remains will be transported by the coroner’s office to the LSU Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Lab in Baton Rouge for DNA analysis and further forensic testing for identification.