Litchfield skeletal remains have 'no apparent connection' to missing woman

Illinois State Police were investigating human remains found at Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield on Wednesday.

Police had not determined the identity of the remains as of Thursday afternoon, but they said the remains do not appear to be those of a Macoupin County woman who has been missing since January.

"At this time it is unknown of race, sex, or age of the skeletal remains," state police said in a news release.

A utility worker found the remains, said Sgt. Calvin Brown at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Brown said the remains have "no apparent connection" to Denita Hedden, who went missing Jan. 25 from Macoupin County.

Sgt. Elbert Jennings of the Illinois State Police said the remains were found by a worker clearing brush.

"It was on the ground in a wooded area," Jennings said.

Police were searching the area for additional evidence Thursday.

Litchfield is in Montgomery County. The sheriff's department there said all information about any missing persons in that county had been forwarded to the Illinois State Police, and the sheriff's department would not make further comment.

This story was originally published April 26, 2018 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Litchfield skeletal remains have 'no apparent connection' to missing woman."