GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Human remains were found of a man who was reported missing for more than three years in Wayne County.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said on October 13, Sheriff Dean Finch got information of possible human remains found in a creek bed in Mill Spring.
Sheriff Finch went out to investigate and found a human skull lying in the creek bed. He then contacted JT Wilson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol DDCC Division.
Both Wilson and Sheriff Finch collected the remains but did not see anything in the area during a search.
Due to weather, a more detailed search was delayed until Monday, October 16.
On Monday, cadaver dogs helped assist area agencies in a search for any other remains in the area. During the search a pair of coveralls, a pair of shoes and a shirt was found. A cellphone was also found in one of the pockets of the coveralls.
After a break, a second cadaver dog joined the search.
The sheriff's office said remains were found on the east side of the creek in the creek bed on the bank area.
They later were able to identify the remains using a cell phone and a medical procedure plate which was surgically placed in the spine.
It was determined the remains were Patrick Chapman who was reported missing in May of 2020, the sheriff's office said.
"My department along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s DDCC Division send our prayers and condolences to the family of Patrick Chapman," Sheriff Dean Finch said.
