Human remains found along the Neosho River in 2023 are identified as those of a missing Erie man.

 

The Neosho County sheriff's Office announced on Monday that DNA testing has confirmed the remains to be those of 60-year-old Jay Shumate, who went missing in January 2016. An extensive search was made to find Shumate at that time, after his elderly mother was discovered sitting in a pickup truck outside a local business. The woman had been there for some time when she was discovered by law enforcement. She told officers that her son had left on foot and never returned.

 

Shumate's remains were discovered in February 2023 by individuals searching for deer antlers along the banks of the Neosho River. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation assisted on the case.

 

The cause of death remains unknown.