Remains found along creek

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A woman walking her dog found human remains near a creek, and searchers later found the almost complete skeleton of an unidentified man, authorities said Tuesday.

Columbia police Sgt. Steve Monticelli said a woman was walking along the Hinkson Creek Trail on Monday and came upon what appeared to be the remains of a human leg and hand.

She contacted police at the University of Missouri, who called Columbia police.

After searching the area, investigators found the other bones in a washed-out area about 30 feet from Hinkson Creek.

"The main part of the body was around a tree and a bunch of debris," Monticelli said. "There was no evidence of foul play at the scene. We're talking an area that has been underwater several times in the last couple weeks."

There were no clothes on the remains and no injuries visible on the bones. Investigators determined the remains were male after identifying blond facial hair.

A university anthropologist and the Boone County Medical Examiner's office were working Tuesday to identify the remains and determine a cause of death.