Bones found in rural Franklin County not human

    Remains found yesterday in a wooded area northeast of Hampton were deemed not human by Franklin County investigators.
    According to a report released Thursday by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, a citizen found bones while mushroom hunting on May 4. Chief Deputy Linn Larson said the discovery occurred in a wooded area near the Franklin-Butler County line and was quickly called in to authorities.
    After an hours-long investigation, Franklin County Medical Examiner Keith Hansen and investigator Thomas Craighton declared the bones to be animal in origin.
    “I can tell you what it isn’t, but I can’t tell you what it is,” Larson said. “We’re not exactly sure what kind of animal it was.”
    According to Larson, the remains were treated like those of a human when authorities arrived. He said investigators were on scene for “a few hours.”
    Larson also said the family of Ethan Kazmerzak was alerted this morning after the medical examiners made their determination. Kazmerzak, of Hampton, went missing on the night of Sept. 15, 2013. He has not been seen or heard from since.
    A $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Kazmerzak’s whereabouts. Contact the Hampton Police Department at (641) 456-2529 with any tips.