INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Police have released the identified of the person whose skeletal remains were found along the Little Blue River in June of this year. Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp said the remains belong to Christopher Porter, 28, of Independence, Mo.
Porter was listed as missing and endangered on February 1, 2012. Police said Porter walked away from Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence on the day he went missing. Police said Porter suffered brain damage and had the mentality of an adolescent.
During the initial missing person’s investigation police found Porter’s cell phone on the 23rd Street bridge, which is located about a mile from Centerpoint Medical Center, and crosses the Little Blue River.
Sharp said police do not suspect foul play and added that police do not anticipate finding the rest of Porter’s remains.
Porter was able to be identified through trace DNA. However, because of the severity of decomposition, the Kansas City Crime Lab sent the evidence to the University of North Texas where they were able to make a positive identification.
Porter’s remains first came to light on June 25, 2012,when a kayaker discovered the skeletal remains of a human hand in the Little Blue River near Mize and Necessary roads in Independence, Mo. Eight days later on July 5, two fishermen found the skeletal remains of a human foot inside a shoe. Their discovery was located 10 water miles from where the kayaker found the skeletal hand.
Complete coverage: Skeletal Remains Found Along Little Blue River
Several agencies spent numerous hours on the investigation and had hoped trace amounts of DNA would help investigators identify the bones.
“After three months of waiting, Sheriff Sharp finally has answers,” said the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in a press release.
The news conference is expected to start at 9 a.m. Refresh this page for updates.
