More Skeletal Remains Found At Forest Preserve

COOK COUNTY, IL — Following the initial discovery of human skeletal remains at Baker's Lake Forest Preserve in Barrington in early February, authorities say additional remains have been found at the site.

Stacina Stagner, communications manager for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, told the Lake & McHenry County Scanner that a second search of the preserve on Feb. 27 uncovered the additional remains.

Investigators returned after receiving a report on Feb. 14 of the first discovery in a wooded area of Baker’s Lake Forest Preserve, according to Carl Vogel, communications director for the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

The Feb. 27 visit aimed to determine whether weather, wildlife, or other environmental factors could have uncovered or relocated more remains.

All human remains collected have been turned over to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Authorities do not believe the remains are from a recent death but have not specified how long they may have been at the preserve. The medical examiner’s office has not yet ruled on a cause or manner of death.

Natalia Derevyanna, director of communications for the medical examiner's office, said an anthropology consult will be conducted to help determine the individual’s sex and possibly provide information on race and other demographic characteristics.

Any dental evidence or DNA collected will be sent to labs for analysis and entered into missing-person databases. Clothing or personal items found near the remains would also be cataloged, though Derevyanna could not confirm whether any such items were present.

She noted that these investigations can take months or even years to yield results. Forest Preserves police, who are leading the case, said there is no indication of any danger to the public related to the discovery.