WV Human Remains: Found near Appalachian Trail in Jefferson County, WV - 7 April 2020 Presumed Resolved

Guess Who · Apr 9, 2020

Whatsnext said:
Police investigating human remains found off of the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia

West Virginia State Police say they recovered human remains not far off the Applachian Trail on Tuesday.

www.whsv.com

Please remove if not in the right place

Police investigating human remains found off of the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia

Photos of articles of clothing found with human remains in West Virginia provided by West Virginia State Police
By WHSV newsroom |
Posted: Wed 4:17 PM, Apr 08, 2020

JEFFERSON COUNTY, W.Va. (WHSV) — West Virginia State Police say they recovered human remains not far off the Applachian Trail on Tuesday.
According to police, workers with a tree trimming service that was working in the Harpers Ferry area of Jefferson County on April 7 found a human skull and contacted authorities.
West Virginia state troopers, the United States Park Police, lue Ridge Search and Rescue Volunteer Team, and the Medical Examiner responded to the scene, where they recovered human remains and the clothing of an uknown person.
Police said the body had on a blue “Montgomery Ward” dress shirt, red jacket with a stripe across the chest, elastic cuffs and waistband, white Puma shoes (high-tops, size 10) and a necklace with an image of “Saint Mary” and the following saying: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
Investigation is ongoing to try to identify the person. If you have any information about the investigation, you're asked to contact Trooper First Class M.C. Morgan or Sergeant Chumley at 304-725-9779 or 304-725-9770.

Most likely has been there for quite some time since Montgomery Wards has been closed for many years now.

GrandmaBear · Apr 9, 2020

Wow. I agree about the Wards thing, not heard of any longer much if at all. They don't say female or male do they?

Guess Who · Apr 9, 2020

GrandmaBear said:
Wow. I agree about the Wards thing, not heard of any longer much if at all. They don't say female or male do they?

"In the 1990s Montgomery Ward faced stiff competition from new discount retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, and it filed for bankruptcy in 1997. Although it attempted to modernize its stores, the company continued to suffer losses. In December 2000 it announced that it was going out of business, and in 2001 it closed its remaining stores. After being acquired by a catalog marketer, Montgomery Ward was relaunched as an online company in 2004. "

Britannica Money

www.britannica.com

GrandmaBear · Apr 9, 2020

Guess Who said:
"In the 1990s Montgomery Ward faced stiff competition from new discount retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, and it filed for bankruptcy in 1997. Although it attempted to modernize its stores, the company continued to suffer losses. In December 2000 it announced that it was going out of business, and in 2001 it closed its remaining stores. After being acquired by a catalog marketer, Montgomery Ward was relaunched as an online company in 2004. "

Britannica Money

www.britannica.com

I actually knew they still existed because I traced something I bought at an auction to them, in Iowa, a very old unique appliance. Clothing though yes, would be very unusual unless it is from some time back unless it was some kind of donation or thrift shop purchase? It does look like the body for that reason and condition has been there for a number of years most likely?

DaisyChains · Apr 10, 2020

Similar style looking jacket (though not the same jacket obviously).

also he is the only person missing from Jefferson County in the Namus system. At least when I search.

DaisyChains · Apr 10, 2020

DaisyChains said:
Similar style looking jacket (though not the same jacket obviously).

also he is the only person missing from Jefferson County in the Namus system. At least when I search.

COLD CASE: Missing man in Charles Town from 2015 still not found, foul play suspected

CHARLES TOWN, WVa. (WDVM)–An accomplished photographer came to America and was scheduled for a photoshoot but not only did he fail to make it to his appointment, but he disappeared and actual…

www.google.com

Morten apparently met a nefarious end.

below is the distance I mapped from the estimated area the remains were found to where Morten’s vehicle had been abandoned back in 2015. Only 17-19 minutes driving time.

DaisyChains · Apr 10, 2020

GrandmaBear said:
I actually knew they still existed because I traced something I bought at an auction to them, in Iowa, a very old unique appliance. Clothing though yes, would be very unusual unless it is from some time back unless it was some kind of donation or thrift shop purchase? It does look like the body for that reason and condition has been there for a number of years most likely?

does Montgomery Ward have strong ties to Norway production wise? I’m looking at some old Mont Ward stoves and waterfalls made in Norway.

I ask because Morten (the missing man I’m yammering on about here) was from Norway. Also wondering if the jacket had a tag showing country of production. Hm.

also, Puma as a brand is typically worn more by European folks Imho

GrandmaBear · Apr 10, 2020

DaisyChains said:
does Montgomery Ward have strong ties to Norway production wise? I’m looking at some old Mont Ward stoves and waterfalls made in Norway.

I ask because Morten (the missing man I’m yammering on about here) was from Norway. Also wondering if the jacket had a tag showing country of production. Hm.

also, Puma as a brand is typically worn more by European folks Imho

I wondered about the Puma too. I don't know about Montgomery Ward and Norway but they have been around since the 1800s. Here is the continued catalog site which I am surprised exists or makes money as I never even knew they had one. https://www.wards.com

I would imagine someone could possibly date the shirt to a certain year or range of when Wards sold them?

Steve · Apr 10, 2020

Morten’s page on The Charley Project links to his Facebook page, which is still accessible.
Based on a comment he made about religion, it‘s very unlikely he would be carrying a Miraculous Medal. JMO.

I know Facebook isn’t a good source, but since this page was linked by the Charley Project I thought I would mention it.

DaisyChains · Apr 10, 2020

Steve said:
Morten’s page on The Charley Project links to his Facebook page, which is still accessible.
Based on a comment he made about religion, it‘s very unlikely he would be carrying a Miraculous Medal. JMO.

I know Facebook isn’t a good source, but since this page was linked by the Charley Project I thought I would mention it.

THANK YOU Steve! Very important info that I was surely wondering about!

Could the necklace have been placed there to throw off LE on identifying his remains if found? If not it’s probably not Morten. (Maybe his remains are on that large sprawling estate in WV somewhere...)

I did message Morten’s sister with the article about the remains just in case. His whole family has no rights to his property/belongings since they don’t live in the US. They are reported to be distraught over his disappearance understandably so.

Steve · Apr 10, 2020

DaisyChains said:
THANK YOU Steve! Very important info that I was surely wondering about!

Could the necklace have been placed there to throw off LE on identifying his remains if found? If not it’s probably not Morten. (Maybe his remains are on that large sprawling estate in WV somewhere...)

I did message Morten’s sister with the article about the remains just in case. His whole family has no rights to his property/belongings since they don’t live in the US. They are reported to be distraught over his disappearance understandably so.

The proximity of the remains to where the truck was found is pretty intriguing, for sure. It should definitely be looked into.

My family visited the AT headquarters in Harpers Ferry a few years ago, and did a little bit of walking on the trail nearby. The general area is full of tourists. If the remains aren’t Morten, I could imagine someone perhaps wandered off the trail and had a medical event, or an accident. If they were a thru-hiker, they wouldn’t be wearing Pumas, so I’m guessing they may be a local, a tourist, or crime victim.

Whatsnext · Apr 14, 2020

Redirect Notice

DaisyChains · Apr 20, 2020

Just an update that Morten’s sister in Europe saw my message about the discovery of the remains.

Mel70 · Oct 2, 2020

Guess Who said:
Most likely has been there for quite some time since Montgomery Wards has been closed for many years now.

They do still have mail order Catalogs.

Mel70 · Oct 2, 2020

But I do agree Guessy that it appears to me the remains had been there awhile.

Romulus · Dec 22, 2020

NamUs #UP75513

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

On 4/7/20 @ approx. 14:00, Xyzlem Tree Service employee was at the top of the mountain by Witness Post (Appalachian Trail) in Jefferson Co. cutting trees. When they was waiting and looking around they discovered a human skull. LE & EMS responded, LE continued to look for more bones, the search continued until 4/10/20, LE found approx. 20 bones in the immediate area (Longitude 39320226, Latitude 77722773). Male clothes was in the area, 2 necklaces were found (1 silver & 1 with a St. Christopher medal on it), a crucifix was found, a t-shirt w/Montgomery Ward on it was found w/bones in it, LE thinks the bones may have been in the area since the late 1970’s-early 1980’s. Two (2) white Puma tennis shoes were found, LE contacted PUMA and they stated that that particular brand of shoe had not been produced since the 1980’s. A Quarter (1976), a dime (1969), & a nickel were also found near the clothes. LE is investigating all missing persons from the late 1970’s & early 1980’s for that area.
View attachment 11728 View attachment 11729

Click the Report button on a case if you'd like it to be moved to the general discussion area to be opened for commenting.

Kimster · Jan 26, 2021

Steve said:
The proximity of the remains to where the truck was found is pretty intriguing, for sure. It should definitely be looked into.

My family visited the AT headquarters in Harpers Ferry a few years ago, and did a little bit of walking on the trail nearby. The general area is full of tourists. If the remains aren’t Morten, I could imagine someone perhaps wandered off the trail and had a medical event, or an accident. If they were a thru-hiker, they wouldn’t be wearing Pumas, so I’m guessing they may be a local, a tourist, or crime victim.

@Steve, do you know if this person has been identified? I'm not familiar enough with the area to easily figure it out.

SheWhoMustNotBeNamed · Jan 26, 2021

It looks like they have a NamUs page now.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

On 4/7/20 @ approx. 14:00, Xyzlem Tree Service employee was at the top of the mountain by Witness Post (Appalachian Trail) in Jefferson Co. cutting trees.
When they was waiting and looking around they discovered a human skull. LE & EMS responded, LE continued to look for more bones, the search continued until 4/10/20, LE found approx. 20 bones in the immediate area (Longitude 39320226, Latitude 77722773).
male clothes was in the area, 2 necklaces were found (1 silver & 1 with a St. Christopher medal on it), a crucifix was found, a t-shirt w/Montgomery Ward on it was found w/bones in it, LE thinks the bones may have been in the area since the late 1970’s-early 1980’s. Two (2) white Puma tennis shoes were found, LE contacted PUMA and they stated that that particular brand of shoe had not been produced since the 1980’s. A Quarter (1976), a dime (1969), & a nickel were also found near the clothes.
LE is investigating all missing persons from the late 1970’s & early 1980’s for that area.

Mel70 · Jan 26, 2021

To me the style and colors of the jacket seem 70's to early 80's. So I agree with the timeline they are looking.

WV Human Remains: Found near Appalachian Trail in Jefferson County, WV - 7 April 2020 *Presumed Resolved*

Well-known member

Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter

Well-known member

Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter

Member

Attachments

Member

Attachments

Member

Deputized Emu Slayer/Horse Thief Hunter

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

☮️

Member

I miss you Oreo.

I miss you Oreo.

Well-known member

Administrator

Administrator

I miss you Oreo.

Forum statistics

WV Human Remains: Found near Appalachian Trail in Jefferson County, WV - 7 April 2020 Presumed Resolved