BOTTINEAU – Identification is pending on human remains found at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge by hunters on Thursday, Oct. 16, according to the Bottineau County Sheriff’s Department.

The department issued information Friday, Oct. 17, stating that at about 10:40 a.m. Thursday, State Radio Communications received a call from hunters at the refuge, reporting the discovery of possible human remains. Law enforcement officials responded to the area, confirmed the remains and processed the scene. The remains were sent to the medical examiner’s office in Bismarck.

In February 2024, the Bottineau County Sheriff’s Office had taken a report of a missing person from Willow City. At this time, it is unknown if the remains found Thursday are associated with the missing person case.

Anyone with information regarding the found remains or the missing person’s case is asked to contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office at 537-5633 or the Bottineau County Sheriff’s Office at 228-2740.