Human remains found in January in Jefferson City have been identified as those of a man from Holts Summit who died as long as a year ago.
About 5 p.m. Jan. 21, Jefferson City police responded to the 200 block of Schumate Chapel Road for a call about the discovery of remains that appeared to be human.
Officers responded to the scene and confirmed the remains were human. Detectives did find clothing on the remains along with identification possibly belonging to the deceased person.
They were able to eventually determine that the deceased was most likely John Nelson, 49, Holts Summit. Nelson was apparently homeless at the time of his death, officials said.
It took until now to confirm Nelson's identity because detectives waited on confirmation through dental records and due to the state of the body when it was found.
No foul play was suspected, and information received from the estranged family of Nelson corroborated the information detectives had received.
Officials said Nelson likely died between six and 12 months before his body was found.